For thirty minutes, the Clippers were absent on defense against Cleveland. Two figures show this more than the others: Paul George and his teammates trailed by 26 points (68-94) in the middle of the third quarter, after having conceded 80 points in the first period. Yes, 80 points in 24 minutes…
Even without Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers had no trouble stringing together points and baskets. Without a reaction, the Californians were going to take another slap in the face in a Sunday afternoon match. A schedule that clearly doesn’t suit them. “I think it was possible to win this match”, nevertheless observes “PG”.
23 points in the last quarter
So we have to get back in the right direction. “I knew we weren't ourselves and I was focused and committed to doing as much as possible to win,” continues the Los Angeles winger. “These situations aren't ideal, but it's nice to face these challenges and find a way to come together. »
Over the last 18 minutes of the match, after the biggest gap between the two teams, the Cavaliers were stifled with only 24 points scored at 24% shooting success and 7 lost balls.
“Everyone was in there on defense. We made the necessary stops and we were careful not to lose any balls.”continues Paul George, who is pleased with the mental strength of his team, which still had to do without Kawhi Leonard. “Either we bend or we try to do things differently. We went up a notch in defense, we were more physical. This is where we gave ourselves a chance. »
The defense was not going to be enough. It was also necessary to put points. Paul George will therefore take care of it with 23 points (6/10 shooting) in the last quarter! The winger (39 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists) does not lose a ball, scoring the basket halfway for the victory against Evan Mobley, who ends up on the ground, before blocking Darius Garland's attempt, to validate victory.
A 50th victory and a 4th place in the sights
The Clippers thus achieved the third most important comeback in their history. “We cannot let go of matches at this time of the season. You have to find a way to win matches, whatever the means. We never give up. We keep fighting, you never know”book Russell Westbrook.
The Cavaliers were struggling offensively and were perfect for a memorable evening. And this success, the 50th of the season, allows us to breathe easier and avoid the pressure from the Mavericks, who are pushing behind. The Clippers still hold fourth place in the West, synonymous with home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
“We were tenacious. We can do it every night,” explains Tyronn Lue. “It’s a huge victory for us, to be at 50. We must continue to progress until the playoffs. Our focus is on this: play better basketball, continue to improve and finish in the best possible place. »
| Paul George | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2010-11 | IND | 61 | 21 | 45.3 | 29.7 | 76.2 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 7.8 |
| 2011-12 | IND | 66 | 30 | 44.0 | 38.5 | 80.2 | 0.9 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 12.1 |
| 2012-13 | IND | 79 | 38 | 41.9 | 36.2 | 80.7 | 1.1 | 6.5 | 7.6 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 17.4 |
| 2013-14 | IND | 80 | 36 | 42.4 | 36.4 | 86.4 | 0.8 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2014-15 | IND | 6 | 15 | 36.7 | 40.9 | 72.7 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 8.8 |
| 2015-16 | IND | 81 | 35 | 41.8 | 37.2 | 86.0 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 23.1 |
| 2016-17 | IND | 75 | 36 | 46.2 | 39.4 | 89.8 | 0.8 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 3.4 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 23.7 |
| 2017-18 | OKAY | 79 | 37 | 43.0 | 40.1 | 82.2 | 0.9 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 22.0 |
| 2018-19 | OKAY | 77 | 37 | 43.8 | 38.6 | 83.9 | 1.4 | 6.8 | 8.2 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 28.0 |
| 2019-20 | LAKE | 48 | 30 | 43.9 | 41.2 | 87.6 | 0.5 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 21.5 |
| 2020-21 | LAKE | 54 | 34 | 46.7 | 41.1 | 86.8 | 0.8 | 5.8 | 6.7 | 5.2 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 23.3 |
| 2021-22 | LAKE | 31 | 35 | 42.1 | 35.4 | 85.8 | 0.4 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 5.7 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 0.4 | 24.3 |
| 2022-23 | LAKE | 56 | 35 | 45.7 | 37.1 | 87.1 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 5.1 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 23.8 |
| 2023-24 | LAKE | 71 | 34 | 47.1 | 41.2 | 89.9 | 0.5 | 4.7 | 5.2 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 22.5 |
| Total | 864 | 34 | 44.0 | 38.4 | 85.3 | 0.8 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 20.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
