Clippers hardly daunted by 1-0 hole after prior series comebacks

The LA Clippers made league history by becoming the first team to overcome two 0-2 deficits in the same postseason, never showing signs of intimidation despite the challenging circumstances.

So believe it when Paul George says, “I expect us to get better as the series goes,” or when DeMarcus Cousins vows the Clippers will “adjust” at some point soon in this Western Conference finals series against the Phoenix Suns.

Following Game 1, we’ve grasped their strategy and how we can adapt,” said Ivica Zubac, Clippers center. “Ideally, other teams would be the ones adjusting to us. However, our series with Dallas and Utah went up to seven and six games, giving other teams ample time to prepare for us. It’s just the way it is, and we have to accept it. We’re ready to make our necessary adjustments.”

They’ve certainly proven adept at the chess game on the hardwood against some of the NBA’s brightest stars heading into Tuesday’s Game 2 at Phoenix Suns Arena (9 ET, ESPN).

In the playoffs opener, LA suffered the first two defeats against the Dallas Mavericks, a high-energy team led by Luka Doncic, but later secured four of the remaining five games to clinch the series. In the conference semifinals, the Clippers recorded a four-game winning streak against Donovan Mitchell’s injury-affected Utah Jazz, the top seed, after initially losing the first two matches.

This series could start out similarly considering coach Tyronn Lue officially ruled out leading scorer Kawhi Leonard for Game 2 against a Suns squad that George believes is “a different caliber team than the other two teams we faced.” Forward Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) “is still experiencing some soreness,” according to Lue, though he is not listed on the Game 2 injury report.

In the face of all that adversity, LA’s confidence hasn’t waned. Devin Booker drilled the Clippers in Game 1 for a 40-point triple-double, but the Clippers believe they’ve already identified different ways to minimize the All-Star guard’s impact as the series progresses.

Lue commented that his team consistently engaged Booker too early on the court in Game 1, which gave him plenty of space to attack. This, in turn, put the team’s larger players in challenging positions, as the Suns guard overwhelmed the Clippers with his mid-range game.

Lue stated, “We need to apply more pressure from the three-point line and try to minimize the playing area. This will allow our big players to establish their positions and make plays in close proximity. I think they did well in dismantling our defense largely. We made some mistakes. As I mentioned earlier, Devin Booker was very adept at deciding his play when we attempted to double-team him. They knew exactly where their players needed to be when we attacked the pick-and-roll, and it put us in difficult situations. They executed their offensive game plan very effectively.”

While Doncic and Mitchell primarily utilized the 3-pointer to wreak havoc in the first two rounds, Booker poses a different threat. He can harm opponents with not only his 3-point shooting but also his mid-range game. His skill at completing shots at the bucket further enhances his offensive prowess.

“Zubac explained that while guarding Luka and Donovan, one needs to be at the screen’s level. However, for players who prefer mid-range, you don’t have to be that high up. That’s a significant difference for me when defending the pick-and-roll,” he added.

Deandre Ayton, the Suns’ center, presents a unique challenge due to his distinct style of play compared to the LA’s opponents in the first two rounds. In the first round, Kristaps Porzingis mainly acted as a decoy to spread the floor for Dallas. Despite Rudy Gobert of Utah being highly skilled in rim protection, he lacks the athleticism in defensive rotations and the proficiency in finishing at the rim that Ayton possesses.

In Game 1, Ayton scored 20 points, making 10 out of 14 field goal attempts, and secured nine rebounds. Phoenix triumphed in the rebounding battle, edging out their opponents 43-39.

“Ayton has slightly more agility and presence in the low post,” said George. “He’s a better finisher compared to the other big players we’ve gone against. This will pose a challenge for us and it’s certainly something we need to focus on improving.”

Lue believes that reserve point guard Rajon Rondo needs to step up his role in the series with Leonard, LA’s top scorer, out indefinitely. The Clippers are unable to play through Leonard as they normally would when Reggie Jackson and George exit the games.

In Game 1, Rondo scored eight points by shooting 3-of-5 and made seven assists in 22 minutes.

Lue stated, “We require his speed and his ability to create opportunities for Luke Kennard and Nic Batum, and to consistently find Cousins. The tempo he sets is crucial, particularly with the absence of a top scorer like Kawhi. We need someone who can drive the pace and create shots for the rest of the team. He needs to confidently take his shots. It was encouraging to see him make two 3-pointers in the last game. However, he offers more than just shooting: he has a high basketball IQ, sets the pace, helps others get shots, and is a vocal leader. We need all these aspects. It’s not just about making shots and scoring – we require all the other strengths he brings.”

The Clippers, however, are not lacking in confidence. This is a result of their extensive experience in overcoming difficult situations throughout this postseason. The impending challenge is slightly more intimidating due to the unclear statuses of Morris and Leonard, who are both receiving ongoing treatment in hopes of returning to the lineup as quickly as possible.

The Clippers managed to win over Utah by a total of 20 points in the last two games of the conference semifinals, despite Leonard’s absence from the lineup.

“So, our plan is to correct the errors we made in Game 1, fix the wrongs, and clearly make adjustments. We’re looking forward to improving,” said Cousins.

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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.

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