The day after their defeat against the Lakers, the Riders continued in back-to-back with the Clippers neighbors. This time, no Donovan Mitchell, which “compensates” for the absence of Kawhi Leonard opposite, and the purpose remains the same, since they lost again, after a completely crazy scenario and marked with the imprint of Paul George !
A result synonymous with the 50th victory of the season for Los Angeleswhich incidentally consolidates its 4th place in the West, while Cleveland continues to sink, certainly still finding itself in 5th place in the East, but now under threat from 7th.
The Clippers come back from nowhere!
A meeting in three stages. This is how this part could be summarized, firstly balanced with two attacks in great shape (40-39); then dominated by the Cavaliers who were always very keen on shooting and helped by ball losses which they were able to take advantage of in transition (94-68); finally overturned by the finally skillful Clippers, capable of making “stops” and more careful with the ball (120-118).
As for Paul George, he demonstrated that he was part of the class of greats, taking over the game when Los Angeles needed it most on both sides. Like these last ten seconds where he killed Cleveland by following up: a mid-distance basket (after breaking Evan Mobley's ankles…) then countering on Darius Garland, in order to preserve the advantage and therefore offer a success stunning to his team!
Author of 23 of his 39 points (plus 11 rebounds and 7 assists in… 44 minutes!) in the fourth quarter, Paul George was the big man of the evening for these two-faced Clippers. Clippers long slapped by Darius Garland (28 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 interceptions), Max Strus (20 points, 9 assists) or Evan Mobley (20 points), before almost miraculously recovering when they were no longer expected .
TO REMEMBER
– Cleveland goes it alone… THE back-to-back and the advanced schedule did not prevent the Cavs from getting off to a great start, with 40 and 40 points in the first two quarters (80-59). Largely in the lead, they pushed their lead to 94-68 in the middle of the third, thanks to a fiery collective attack. Insolently successful, both in the paint and behind the arc, and on quick or placed plays, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Max Strus, Jarrett Allen and other Caris LeVert punished the Clippers from the second quarter onwards. James Harden kept them alive, but the turnovers killed them and the 10-0 then 16-5 hurt a lot.
– …then Los Angeles raises the bar… At -26 therefore, the Clippers began to (re)find color, without one being able to imagine that they could do so this evening. Particularly insistent inside, with Ivica Zubac, and also pressing 3-points, with Norman Powell, while the contagious energy of Russell Westbrook also did good to the Californian game. From 68-94 to 86-98, Tyronn Lue's players made it halfway and, without James Harden, left on the bench, they were then able to let a certain Paul George add another layer.
– …and Paul George takes care of everything. Because this famous Paul George took advantage of the great collective dynamic of the Clippers to activate superhero mode and initiate the second part of the Angeleno “comeback”. So with 16 points on the clock, he will line up baskets from any zone, but especially free throws, to catch up and finally bring Los Angeles to one possession. On fire, “PG13” makes a total of his defenders and he punctuates his masterpiece with nice shifts for Terance Mann and Amir Coffey at 3-points, before sending Evan Mobley to the ground, planting a mid-distance shot and counter Darius Garland. Finished !
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
