Fatigue harm Clippers in Recreation 4 loss vs. Suns greater than Paul George missed free throws, offensive struggles

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LOS ANGELES — Practically 90 minutes handed after the Los Angeles Clippers suffered an 84-80 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday in Recreation 4 of the Western Convention finals. So earlier than Clippers ahead Paul George emerged into the interview room, he had loads to digest whereas finishing his post-game exercise.

The Clippers face a 3-1 deficit, and their season might finish with a decisive Recreation 5 in Phoenix on Tuesday. No indicators counsel Kawhi Leonard might return after lacking the previous six video games with a proper knee damage. The Clippers went scoreless for simply over 4 minutes. And with the Clippers trailing 81-78 with seven seconds left, George missed his first free throw earlier than deliberately lacking the second in hopes of salvaging the possession.

Can the resilient Clippers overcome this? Or is that this second too irritating to abdomen?

“You bought to. It’s the playoffs. You bought to maneuver on to the subsequent one,” George mentioned. “Regardless, tonight’s recreation is over with and it’s on to the subsequent one. As a veteran, you simply be taught to not let video games linger. I’ve executed a superb job of doing that. I nonetheless dwell an exquisite life and nonetheless have an incredible household. I’m on high of the world whatever the end result. Simply transfer on and prepare for the subsequent one.”

Nobody doubts whether or not the Clippers will prepare for the subsequent one. They’ve overcome 0-2 collection deficits in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz. Although Terance Mann conceded dealing with a 3-1 deficit is “undoubtedly a unique feeling,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned the problem is “very doable.”

The Clippers absolutely have the psychological toughness. However have they got the legs? They’ve performed 17 video games in 36 nights, and have performed each different day since June 2. It’s laborious to not surprise if that performed a job within the Clippers capturing 32.5% from the sphere and 16.1% from 3-point vary.

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“It might be, however there isn’t any excuse this time of the season,” Lue mentioned. “Our guys is likely to be a bit of drained. However we’ve got to struggle by it. I’ve no drawback with the way in which we fought and the way in which we competed. Each single man on the ground gave us what we had. However offensively, we didn’t have it tonight.”

Neither did the Suns. They shot solely 36% from the sphere and 20% from 3-point vary. However they had been capable of dig deeper. Deandre Ayton relied on his athleticism (19 factors, 22 rebounds). Devin Booker leaned on his toughness after ditching his masks to guard his battered nostril (25 factors) earlier than fouling out. Chris Paul leaned on his smarts whereas shedding rust in his second recreation since staying sidelined for eight due to the league’s well being and security protocols (18 factors, seven assists). The Suns have navigated this after having every week off to relaxation and put together in opposition to the Clippers after sweeping the Denver Nuggets within the second spherical.

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As for the Clippers? They regarded fried. George (23 factors), Reggie Jackson (20), Ivica Zubac (13) and Mann (12) cracked double figures. Throughout their scoreless stretch within the fourth quarter from 10:07 to six:00, the Clippers missed three 3-pointers, two jumpers and two layups whereas additionally committing two turnovers. When the Suns neatly fouled George to keep away from the Clippers probably forcing extra time with a game-winning 3-pointer, it didn’t seem George had the suitable elevate to make his first foul shot.

“I’m not going to let that be an excuse or have one thing to fall again on,” George mentioned. “I really feel good and I’m on the market.”

In equity, the sport might have tilted the opposite manner. What if DeMarcus Cousins efficiently deliberately missed his second foul shot as a substitute of hitting the ball off the backboard whereas the Clippers trailed 81-79 with 5.8 seconds left? What if Nicolas Batum was not known as for being out-of-bounds with 7.8 seconds left, whereas trailing 79-78? What if the Clippers didn’t commit a shot-clock violation throughout their drought?

Paul George and the Clippers are facing elimination.

Paul George and the Clippers are dealing with elimination.

All truthful factors. However there have been indicators already that the Clippers’ fatigue was getting the perfect of them. Essentially the most notable instance occurred of their Recreation 2 loss that additionally ended with George lacking a pair of free throws earlier than Ayton transformed on a lob play with 0.7 seconds left. The opposite instance occurred of their Recreation 1 loss. That recreation happened solely 36 hours after beating the Jazz in Recreation 6. Although all groups have needed to play each different day in hopes of ending the season earlier than the Olympics, it’s not clear why the Clippers had been scheduled for a day recreation as a substitute of a night one.

“It’s a battle of attrition,” Jackson mentioned. “Guys are doing every thing they will to get their relaxation and restoration and are available again in the absolute best form they will to discover a manner to achieve success. It’s a loopy schedule. It’s going quick. However we’ve all been handled the identical playing cards. We all know we’ve got to prepare for this problem in Recreation 5. It’s going to be a psychological battle and bodily battle between two nice groups.”

It will likely be a psychological and bodily battle doubtless as soon as once more with out Leonard, who has watched the sport together with his household in a collection as a substitute of taking part in on the courtroom.

“If he’s not 100%, we don’t need him on the market,” George mentioned. “That’s as a brother and as a teammate. His well being is what’s most essential. I can’t communicate on the extent of his damage or what he can and can’t give us. His well being is extra essential than the rest.”

That leaves the Clippers in a precarious place. Little question they’ll struggle to beat a 3-1 collection deficit as Lue helped the Cleveland Cavaliers do the identical factor in opposition to the Golden State Warriors within the 2016 NBA Finals. However because the Clippers confirmed in Recreation 4 by missed photographs and missed free throws, they look like operating on empty.

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This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers fatigued vs. Suns in Recreation 4 loss to fall behind 3-1



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