Clippers dominate first half, even collection with Jazz, however well being questions linger

[ad_1]

The questions on Sport 4 had been determined by halftime.

However the questions on Sport 5 and the remainder of this now-tied second-round collection begin off the court docket — the situation of Kawhi Leonard‘s knee and Mike Conley‘s hamstring will go a great distance in figuring out which staff advances to face Phoenix.

The Clippers and Jazz are actually tied 2-2 after the Clippers ran away early and held off the Jazz late for a 118-104 win behind 62 mixed factors from Leonard and Paul George. Sport 5 is Wednesday evening in Utah.

Because it appears with each playoff collection this season, the well being of key gamers — All-Stars on each groups — will play a big function in the place this collection now goes.

Leonard sat the ultimate 4:35 of Sport 4 that was not but determined, when all the opposite Clippers had been on the ground. His proper knee — a continual concern that results in his load administration in the course of the season — appeared to be at concern late within the sport, though his knee was not iced and no coach labored with him whereas he sat on the bench these remaining minutes. Will his knee impression him in Sport 5?

“It’s good. Subsequent query,” Leonard stated postgame.

Conley missed his fourth straight sport because of the hamstring he strained in Sport 5 of the Jazz’s first-round victory over the Grizzlies. For the second straight sport, the Jazz missed his steadying affect on the court docket when issues went dangerous, and so they missed him as a secondary shot creator within the pick-and-roll. With out Conley, the Clippers have been in a position to load up on Donovan Mitchell and make his life tougher. With out Conley, it’s a lot more durable to think about the Jazz profitable the collection now that the Clippers are taking part in their greatest basketball.

We noticed that model of the Clippers — the “this staff may win the title” model of the Clippers — within the first half.

They had been hitting their threes — 11-of-22 within the 24 minutes — and getting these photographs by driving into the paint and kicking out. They had been taking part in small ball however getting offensive rebounds. Defensively they made good switches and reduce off lob passes into Rudy Gobert. It was a masterclass efficiency.

Plus, Leonard was doing this.

Then again, Utah received away from its move-the-ball and put the opposite staff within the blender offense that earned them the very best document within the NBA this season. It was one cross than an isolation play for an excessive amount of of the primary half. The Clippers didn’t do something particular on protection, it was typical pick-and-roll coverages (though carried out with a non-conventional lineup), however their rotations had been sharp and the Jazz had no solutions with out Mike Conley on the court docket (lacking his fourth straight sport this collection with a hamstring pressure).

Donovan Mitchell did his greatest, he scored 17 within the second quarter, however the Clippers had been firing on all cylinders and up 24 on the half. He completed the sport with 37 factors on 9-of-26 capturing.

Within the second half the Jazz moved the ball, hit threes, and received again to being extra like themselves, and so they received the second half by 10 factors. They might by no means get out of the opening they dug within the first half.

“The best way we performed within the second half, that’s who’re, that’s what we do,” Mitchell stated. “That second half, we have to take that residence and play with that very same power.”

It’s truthful to anticipate a unique power in Sport 5. It’s additionally truthful to marvel if the robust second half efficiency by the Jazz was about their play or as a result of the Clippers received snug and took their foot off the fuel. These questions shall be answered on Wednesday.

Nonetheless, the larger questions are which stars shall be taking part in, and the way wholesome will they be?