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

The LA Clippers made league history as the first team to overcome two 0-2 deficits in the same postseason, showing no signs of hesitation.

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.

“After the first game, it’s clear what their strategy is and how we can adapt,” said Ivica Zubac, the center for the Clippers. “Ideally, other teams would be adjusting to our tactics. However, since our series with Dallas and Utah lasted seven and six games respectively, other teams had more time to strategize against us. That’s just the situation we’re in, and we need to accept it. We’re preparing to make our own 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, the LA team suffered defeat in the initial two games against a spirited Dallas Mavericks team, captained by Luka Doncic. However, they bounced back to secure victory in four out of the subsequent five games, thereby clinching the series. During the conference semifinals, the Clippers managed to win four consecutive games against a limping Donovan Mitchell and the top-ranked Utah Jazz, despite 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 mentioned that his team persistently guarded Booker too far up the court in Game 1, which allowed him too much space to make aggressive plays. This strategy subsequently put the team’s big men in challenging positions, as the Suns guard overwhelmed the Clippers with his mid-range shooting.

“We need to tighten our defense, try to limit the space on the floor, and provide opportunities for our taller players to make a play in close range,” said Lue. “I believe they successfully exploited our defense for the most part. We certainly made errors. However, as I mentioned, Devin Booker did an excellent job of making decisions when we attempted to double-team him. When we rushed the pick-and-roll, they knew exactly where their team members needed to be, putting us in difficult situations. They effectively implemented their offensive game plan.”

Doncic and Mitchell focused on utilizing the 3-pointer in the first two rounds to wreak havoc, but Booker offers a unique threat. He can harm adversaries through his ability to shoot 3-pointers and his mid-range game – not to forget his skill at scoring at the basket.

“Zubac explained that he needs to be at the screen level when guarding Luka and Donovan. However, for those who prefer the mid-range, he doesn’t have to be that high. He pointed out that this is a significant difference for him when defending the pick-and-roll.”

Deandre Ayton, the center for the Suns, presents a distinct challenge due to the contrast in his playing style compared to LA’s initial two rounds of opponents. In the first round, Kristaps Porzingis primarily served as a decoy for Dallas, spreading the floor. Despite his exceptional capacity to protect the rim, Utah’s Rudy Gobert lacks the athleticism for defensive rotations or the skill to finish at the rim as proficiently as Ayton.

In Game 1, Ayton scored 20 points by making 10 out of 14 shots from the field, along with nine rebounds. Phoenix triumphed in the rebound battle with a score of 43-39.

“George stated, “Ayton is slightly more agile and has a stronger presence down low than the other bigs we’ve faced. He’s a superior finisher as well. It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us and something we need to improve upon.”

Lue believes that reserve point guard Rajon Rondo needs to step up in the series as LA’s top scorer, Leonard, is out indefinitely. The Clippers can’t rely on Leonard as they typically do when Reggie Jackson and George are off the games.

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

“Lue expressed the importance of his pace and his ability to set up shots for Luke Kennard, Nic Batum, and consistently find Cousins. His pace is crucial, especially when losing a high-scoring player like Kawhi. We need someone who can maintain the pace and set up shots for others too. He should be confident in taking shots, as shown by his two 3-pointers in the last game. However, he contributes more than just shooting; his intelligence, pace, shot creation, and leadership are all valuable. It’s not just about making shots and scoring; we need all the other qualities he brings to the table,” Lue explained.

The Clippers, however, are not lacking in confidence. They have an abundance of it, gained from their substantial experience in overcoming difficulties throughout the current postseason. The forthcoming challenge appears slightly more intimidating due to the uncertain status of Morris and Leonard, who are both receiving continuous treatment in hopes of rejoining the lineup as quickly as possible.

The Clippers defeated Utah by a total of 20 points in the last two games of the conference semifinals, despite the absence of Leonard in the lineup.

“So, our plan is to correct the mistakes from Game 1, rectify the wrongs, make necessary adjustments, and obviously, strive for a better performance,” said Cousins.

* * *

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.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.