Los Angeles Clippers brace themselves for yet another San Antonio Spurs avalanche – NBA Playoffs Preview
On Tuesday night, the San Antonio Spurs blew past the much tired Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of this Western Conference semi final series. Now with Game 2 on Thursday night at the AT&T Center, will the Spurs
continue their winning streak past 15 games or will the Clips be able to put out the fatigue factor and just get down to playing their game.
Even though the odds are stacked heavily against the Clippers with nagging injuries to star players like Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, given the spirit the Los Angeles side showed in the seven game series against
the Memphis Grizzlies, the Spurs will have to be careful.
Paul had a disastrous game 1 in which he could only manage 6 points – all in first quarter - and perhaps his only significant highlight came when he knocked down the buzzer beating jumper at the end of the first
quarter. Speaking to the reporter after the game, Paul was frustrated with his 3 of 13 shooting performance in the game.
"I felt I got all the shots that I wanted. I just didn't make them," Paul said. "That's the most frustrating part. Getting to where I wanted to and not seeing them go down. Can't do that in the playoffs."
To go along with troubles for Paul, Clippers could not get much out of their other All-Star either. Griffin, who had knee injury before coming into the game, suffered a left ankle sprain early in this one which
limited his game time to only 28 minutes, for 15 points. The All-Star forward showed signs of fatigue. But, speaking after the game, Blake vowed to come back stronger in Game 2.
"But I'll get back in the training room, get treatment and hope to be better the next game," Griffin said.
On the other hand, the Spurs never looked troubled on the night; they made shot after shot from the field and were exquisite with their ball rotation in the game. They were not at all fazed by the fact that they
just had a week long rest and did not let the rustiness get in their way. Spurs also set a franchise record for 13 made three pointers in the post season.
So with Game 2 approaching fast, are the Clippers need to pull their socks quickly. The key mainly for the LA side lies with the amount of influence Paul has in the game but if they are to have a stronger chance
Griffin needs to finally come out with a strong performance offensively.
For the Clippers, anyone other than Paul will have raise his game and become the go-to guy, albeit for only a limited amount of time, which will give Paul a breather. Vinny Del Negro will also have to come up
with better play, because the Spurs will just not let their pick and rolls come into play.
The Spurs under the excellent coaching of Gregg Popovich have been on song with the winning formula to put the team first. Tony Parker`s 11 assist night in Game 1 is mere proof of the fact that it is always for
the team, despite Parker struggles to get the scoring going in this one. Manu Ginobili a key figure in the Spurs ‘Big Three’ dynasty spoke on Parker`s performance in Game 1.
"He didn't score, but he got 11 assists," Ginobili said. "That's who we are. Sometimes it's not going to be him."
Tags: