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Game#55 Clippers@Bucks Thurs 2/02 7:00pm on TNT

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Re: Game#55 Clippers@Bucks Thurs 2/02 7:00pm on TNT 

Post#181 » by esqtvd » Sat Feb 4, 2023 9:11 pm

Roscoe Sheed wrote:I’m a bit concerned that Lue seems to think that their offensive strategy was fine down the stretch. Sure, you expect Kawhi to make more of those midrange isos, but you have to try something else eventually if he doesn’t have it going- like give the ball to Powell considering how well he was playing.





Two-way superstars, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, did not perform as expected for the LA Clippers.


After several games of playing at an All-NBA level, Kawhi Leonard had one of his toughest offensive performances for the LA Clippers. Leonard accounted for a double-double, but he was limited on offense when guarded by guard Jrue Holiday. Specifically, Holiday limited Leonard in isolation, as he rarely passed the ball trying to get to his spots.

Moreover, George did not show up to play in the second half. His poor ball control paved the way for missed opportunities to Norman Powell, who had a great offensive night. Additionally, George was 2-of-6 at the free throw line, adding to how he was feeding into the energy of Milwaukee’s home crowd and stadium.

Furthermore, Leonard and George combined for 33 points on 42 attempts while only making three of their 11 three-pointers. What’s more, these two stars shot 2-of-13 in the fourth quarter. This match-up was a chance for Leonard and George to show they are capable of winning against the best teams, however, they did the exact opposite.

...


The real problem, however, was the lack of support behind Zubac. The two-way wing, Nicolas Batum, had a rough defensive performance against Antetokounmpo as he was -24 in only 17 minutes. This allowed the Bucks to build their confidence and take the lead late in the game.

https://clipperholics.com/2023/02/04/kawhi-leonard-playing-msg-injuries-la-clippers/
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Re: Game#55 Clippers@Bucks Thurs 2/02 7:00pm on TNT 

Post#182 » by esqtvd » Sat Feb 4, 2023 9:20 pm

OTOH

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Re: Game#55 Clippers@Bucks Thurs 2/02 7:00pm on TNT 

Post#183 » by Ballings7 » Sun Feb 5, 2023 8:52 pm




On Jrue/Kawhi matchup summary by clipperholics (and other outlets from doing search for the below tweet; clutchpoints, etc).. What isn't mentioned there, is Jrue didn't even give himself credit after the game, and thought it was basically Kawhi just missing shots he normally makes. Or, thats reverse psychology for the next game on 2/11, and in case of a finals matchup in the future... but who knows.

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I also think regular season isolated game defensive jobs can really be flukes, and then not even matter in a playoff series, because guys adjust their games, and have more rest. Calls go one way, or the other, the ball bounces differently, etc.

Great for the fans to "feel good" about, and have a "high" of confidence against offenses leading players. "Yeah Jrue is an incredible defender against a bigger star forward in Kawhi! We got him and exposed him!" This type of stuff. No discredit to Jrue, he played a part to make it tough on Kawhi I'm sure, on a few of the shots.

This has been the case numerous other times where a star scorer gets contained in part of a game or for a whole game, then in the playoffs when the two teams meet - it doesn't even really matter.

I think its a good possibility as a contributing factor on the end of this road trip are the longer minutes by 5-6 mins are having an effect on Kawhi and adjusting, and also tighter defense and adjusting back to that level of intensity on a regular basis. Kawhi hasn't played this many minutes in awhile over a longer stretch of games, in combination with a persistent road trip.

I think Kawhi's still adjusting back intangibly in ways, but becuase he's played so well over the last month or so, its expected that he's fully back. Not quite yet to me.

Kawhi has proven in the 2021 playoffs what he's capable of at this point in his career with the Clippers, and I don't see any reason why he can't prove it again this year. Game 7 not withstanding in 2020 against Denver, yes, but that doesn't erase all the other games in the 2020 playoffs, or the 2021 playoffs.

The 2/11 game against the Bucks will be interesting, another big one, and hopefully everyone is there on both sides.
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