LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers blew out the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round series. While they were not actually participants, forward Nicolas Batum says both Draymond Green and Boris Diaw had an impact on the game.
Ty Lue pulled another stunning series move, inserting Batum into the starting lineup and sending Ivica Zubac to the second unit. The move allowed the Clippers to play small and switch all five positions, which helped against Mavs star Luka Doncic.
Batum actually started the second half of Game 3 against the Mavericks and says he found out he would start again in Game 4 immediately after the game.
“I talk to [Boris] a lot and it's funny because like yesterday, that's why I call the video guys and I say, ‘I need footage on Boris and Draymond Green,'” Batum said after the Game 4 win. “They're two of the best in the last 10 years, Boris Diaw and Draymond Green, they are the two best at doing what I have to do, like those small center, they can be power forward and play 1 through 5. That's what I did yesterday. I watched video of Boris with the Spurs in 2014 and Draymond the last five years, and I tried to inspire myself from those two guys.”
Batum finished with 10 points, five rebounds, four steals, and two blocks in 36 minutes as the small-ball center. He also tied with Kawhi Leonard for a team high plus/minus of plus-27.
Tyronn Lue has had his battles against Draymond Green throughout the years. Lue's Cavaliers faced Green's Warriors in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015-2018, so it came as no surprise that Lue tried the Clippers' version of the Death Lineup.
“They're just able to switch to guard1 through 5,” Lue explained as the biggest comparison between the two. “I think their IQ, being able to block shots, rebound the basketball, but also being able to break down off the dribble. They are a lot alike. Draymond, he's one of the best I've seen at playing the cat-and-mouse game, playing two guys, getting steals and then Draymond's physicality. I think Nico talked about that, just being physical like Draymond, on post-ups, on rebounds. He's been great all year and to start tonight after being down 2-1 and coming in and relying on him to start, I thought he was terrific. We want to continue to build off this.”
With Batum as the Clippers' small-ball center, the Mavs were unable to get many clean looks to start Game 4. Leonard, George, and Batum led the way defensively for the Clippers in the first quarter and they simply never looked back.
The Clippers will fly back home for Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night at Staples Center.
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