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After overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Clippers are currently facing a 3-1 deficit against the upstart Phoenix Suns. With Kawhi Leonard being sidelined indefinitely due to a lingering knee injury, the Clippers have had to pick up the slack and battle through adversity while keeping their season alive against a young and talented Suns team.
In the last two games of their series against the Jazz, Paul George, Reggie Jackson, and Terrence Mann stepped their games up drastically and lead the way for the Clippers en route to their first conference finals appearance in franchise history. This time around things are a little more difficult, they've had to play through this entire series without their star player and are facing a deeper and healthier Suns team.
However, it's definitely not over until the final buzzer sounds. As seen by the Nuggets last season, it's definitely possible to overcome a 3-1 deficit regardless of how the team has played up to that point in the series. This is something that they had accomplished twice during the 2020 NBA playoffs with the second time being at the expense of the Clippers.
Granted it's no easy task, but the Clippers definitely have the depth and talent to make it happen and can give the Suns all kinds of headaches about it. Having said all this, let's take a deeper look at the two reasons LA can turn the tables from last year and pull off a 3-1 comeback of their own.
Veteran leadership
Between Paul George, Rajon Rondo, and DeMarcus Cousins, the Clippers have some savvy veterans with strong playoff experience. With George's clutch playmaking, Rondo's leadership, and Cousins' tough-nosed approach to the game, they have the right mix of experience to lead this deep roster into the trenches.
This is a roster that possesses a plethora of multi-skilled scorers and facilitators with a strong defensive presence and a never-back-down mentality. This gritty and well-balanced squad definitely has the talent, experience, and endurance to drag this series out to seven games against a powerful and deep Suns team.
Similar ground for Ty Lue
Believe it or not, this is actually familiar territory for Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue. Back in 2016, he was the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers squad that overcame a 3-1 deficit in the NBA finals and beat the Warriors to bring the Cavs their first title in franchise history. On the Clippers sideline, he will definitely apply that same no-quit mentality to try and dig this triumphant bunch out of another deep deficit.
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With the star power that this team currently possesses, there's no denying that Ty Lue will definitely be able to get the most out of this dynamic and multi-talented Clippers team that's made a living off of overcoming large deficits all playoffs long. If anything is certain, it's that game five will be an all-out dual and the Suns are not going to walk off into the valley with an easy victory.
They'll have to pull and pry this game away if they want to avoid being upset by this hungry and determined team that aims to force a game six back in Los Angeles. Tonight's game will be anything but a cakewalk for the eager Phoenix Suns who hope to close out this series at home. Especially with title-winning coach Ty Lue calling plays.
