LOS ANGELES – The LA Clippers have been a dangerous team when their stop stars play, and Friday night was no different. The Utah Jazz came into Staples Center having won 20 of their last 21 games. The Clippers came in having won 31 of their last 40 games when Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Patrick Beverley play.
LA defeated Utah 116-112 in a thrilling Friday night showdown that saw Leonard score 29 points and Donovan Mitchell 35. While most of the game was a joy for basketball fans, it was the final 40 seconds that became instantly suspenseful.
The Clippers led 108-100 with 40.4 seconds remaining, but struggled with what should've been a routine ‘inbound the ball, make your free throws, and defend,' end of game scenario.
“We definitely got to be better than that,” Patrick Beverley acknowledged after the game. “I mean, obviously, you know they're the number one team in the NBA, and they're number one for a reason. You got to give them ultimate respect, they didn't go down, they kept fighting, and that's what you expect but, you know, we, you know, I think we fouled every time coming down so we have to do a better job. We'll look at the film and we will be better. Glad it happened early than later for sure.”
“Yeah, we definitely have to be better than that. They’re the No. team in the NBA, and they’re No. 1 for a reason… I think we fouled every time, so we have to be better, but we’ll look at the film, and we will be better.”
Patrick Beverley on the final 40 seconds. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/jZYvD4uKgY
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 20, 2021
Beverley knocked down a pair of critical three-pointers in the fourth quarter to give the Clippers a comfortable cushion, or so everyone thought. He finished with 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and a trio of three-pointers to his line. He even made four free throws late to stave off the Jazz comeback.
Tyronn Lue and the Clippers said after Wednesday's loss that they knew exactly what they needed to do in terms of their gameplan to beat the Jazz. Lue took a risky trick out of his hat, throwing a small-ball lineup to close out the game while Utah kept Rudy Gobert on the floor. Patrick Beverley, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Nic Batum, and Marcus Morris was the closing lineup.
In theory, Gobert should've dominated the Clippers in the paint. Instead, it forced Gobert to stretch out and three-point shooters on the perimeter. If he over-helped and got sucked into the paint, the Clippers kicked out to open shooters. If he didn't collapse into the key, the Clippers used their size advantage to score inside.
“We might be small in size, but we're not small in heart for sure,” Beverley added with a smile. “We understand Rudy Gobert is one of the best defensive players in the NBA by protecting the rim, and going that small lineup, we want to kind of get him out the paint, so we can kind of get early drives and open lanes. [Kawhi], [Paul], people like that so you know they kind of hug them a little bit and you know those guys just made the right play, and, it's up to me and Mook [Marcus] to open up shots towards the end and that's what we did.”
“We might be small in size, but we’re not small in heart, for sure. We understand Rudy Gobert is one of the best defenders in the NBA. We wanted to get him out of the paint so we can kind of get early drives and open lanes.”
Patrick Beverley on the small-ball lineup in the 4th. pic.twitter.com/Prw1eEBYFi
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 20, 2021
Kawhi Leonard, who returned from a three-game absence due to a left lower leg contusion, scored his 29 points on 10-of-24 shooting from the field, but did hit a number of clutch jumpers and free throws late in the game as well. He was just thankful to be able to get back onto the court after dealing with his nagging injury.
“I’m just happy I was able to get out and play today,” Leonard said. “We were able to be healthy and get our starting five out there and that’s what it’s about. We want to get better, obviously, we haven’t got a chance to really play with a full healthy roster the last two weeks or so so hopefully we can have some blessings and be able to stay healthy to finish till the All-Star trip is started.”
Despite not being at full strength for much of the season, Kawhi Leonard noted that every starter has a plethora of NBA experience to make up for the absences.
“I mean we’re all pros,” Leonard added. “I think that starting lineup all played 10+ years, so that’s how we can sort of get a rhythm early but it takes time. You haven’t seen those bodies on the floor, obviously playing with me and PG is a lot different. We might isolate sometimes or take some tough shots so it’s just all that combined. And that’s why we got to keep playing and staying healthy.”
Paul George also made his return from a bone edema, scoring 15 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing five assists on the night. It was his first game since February 3rd against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Clippers, who improved to 22-9 on the season, will have Saturday off to rest and prepare for the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night.
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