Round 1 Game 1: Los Angeles Clippers @ Phoenix Suns 8 PM EST 5 PM PCT

[og15]

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My favorite part of this play is Booker already starting to whine like a bitch about the block while the ball's getting thrown off him.

That was 100% the best part, guy gives up on the play and actually let's the Clippers retain the ball when he maybe could have recovered it

[og15]

Game ball to Kawhi, of course. A second ball should go to Russell Westbrook. If your focus on his contribution was only shooting you weren't really watching the game. Westbrook was amazing in a million important ways. Key rebounds, key blocks, helping create turnovers. Zubac and Plumlee were strong.

[was it a mirage or did Morris get no minutes tonight? Only 9 players in rotation]

Bottom line - all three Phoenix superstars played while only 2 Clippers superstars played. Clippers wanted it more.

What an entertaining game. Really fun to watch. Now to steal game #2 also!

It's a two part thing. On one hand we have to appreciate the effort and contribution in other areas. On the other hand, we also understand that winning a series requires winning 4 games, and your likelihood of winning 3 more games with poor shooting performances on a lot of attempts is lower even with the energy in other areas.

6 Clippers had a TS% of ~60% or higher in the game and Clippers were +9 on offensive rebounds. That was what offset the poor shooting, and Westbrook was big on those offensive rebounds (5), BUT you can't always expect those kinds of things to replicate.

So now it's all about adjustments. There are so many that can happen now. Game 1 in the end is still a feel out game. You can win game 1 and lose in 5, you can win game 1 and be down 2-1 after three games, or you can win game 1 and then be up 3-1 after 4 games, just never know how it will go.

I never get too excited by game 1. Too many fans like to make too many proclamations after the first one or two games, which I get, excitement mounts, but have to wait for how adjustments are handled first.

What I'm looking to is how Phoenix adjusts their rotations and how Lue can counter. Their big issue was that their "bench" unit had Booker at PG with bench guys , and those units did not produce for them. Clippers had like a +10 differential in the 4-5 minutes that they had that unit on, and that was the difference in the game.

....I don't think Craig is going to shoot 75% FG on the shots the Clippers give up to him again, so that's another positive, though CP probably doesn't go 2/8 on the exact same shots he got last night either.

If Clippers can consistently crush the Phoenix bench unit, then it will go a long way, but of course maybe next game the Suns change the bench rotation and find more production. We'll see.

[Dynamix]

As much as Ty and Russ should feel satisfied with the win, they surely realize that there can't be another shooting performance like that if we're serious about advancing.

The more I think about it, the more important it seems to put up a similar fight in Game 2. Even if the Suns do even up the series, can't have it happen with a blowout. Need to show them that it's going to be a dogfight every step of the way.

It could all come down to KD taking/making more shots in the 4th and Kawhi being less efficient, but just don't let them believe the first game was a complete fluke.

Still expecting more from our guys on the offensive end, pretty much everyone not named Kawhi has to step up. Especially T-Mann, who did a great job defensively, really want to see him drop 20+ at least once. Maybe he's saving it for the close out.

[clipperlover]

Some comparisons:
Phoenix Bench:
MIN - 55
FG - 3/12
3P - 0/3
FT - 4/8
OREB - 2
DREB - 7
TREB -9
ASTS - 2
STLS - 0
BLKS - 3
TOS - 1
PTS - 6

Westbrook:
MIN - 36
FG - 3/19
3P - 1/6
FT - 2/3
OREB - 5
DREB - 6
TREB -11
ASTS - 8
STLS - 2
BLKS - 3
TOS - 2
PTS - 9

Westbrook individually outperformed the entire Suns bench in 17 less minutes. I will take that every game throughout the series.

I am not down on our bench. Bones shot terribly, collectively (along with Batum) they were a combined 3/13 from 3, and Mann had too many turnovers. However, they were 8/10 from the FT line, so they were drawing fouls and putting pressure on the Suns D. Their shots will start falling and Powell will figure out how to attack even more.

The series will be all about adjustments, but I trust Lue is going to be a step ahead in adjustments all series long. If Phoenix tries to hide Chris Paul on Batum to start the next game, Lue will hunt him out. In fact, Lue could start Mann instead of Batum to force Chris Paul to be moving and not cheating into the paint for rebounds.

[esqtvd]

As much as Ty and Russ should feel satisfied with the win, they surely realize that there can't be another shooting performance like that if we're serious about advancing.

The more I think about it, the more important it seems to put up a similar fight in Game 2. Even if the Suns do even up the series, can't have it happen with a blowout. Need to show them that it's going to be a dogfight every step of the way.

It could all come down to KD taking/making more shots in the 4th and Kawhi being less efficient, but just don't let them believe the first game was a complete fluke.

Still expecting more from our guys on the offensive end, pretty much everyone not named Kawhi has to step up. Especially T-Mann, who did a great job defensively, really want to see him drop 20+ at least once. Maybe he's saving it for the close out.

It's not funny. Teacher's pet has been good with the "little things" and plus/minus but has not put up numbers. Before that cheap hoop at the end, he had 8 points, 4 rebs, 2 assists and 4 TOs in 24 minutes. And Batum was even more meh: 3/1/2 in 21 minutes.

Russ was heaving because people weren't stepping up after the Suns choked off Kawhi with double-teams. You don't want Russ to feel nobody is stepping up. Bad things happen.

On the plus side we had 3 guys with 10+ rebs--Zu, Plumlee and Westbrook and won the battle of the boards. That's huge.

[The High Cyde]

I wouldn’t say Mann is the teachers pet, we all know who that is here. Regardless, I think Mann will improve going forward in this series.

[clipperlover]

It's not funny. Teacher's pet has been good with the "little things" and plus/minus but has not put up numbers. Before that cheap hoop at the end, he had 8 points, 4 rebs, 2 assists and 4 TOs in 24 minutes. And Batum was even more meh: 3/1/2 in 21 minutes.

Russ was heaving because people weren't stepping up after the Suns choked off Kawhi with double-teams. You don't want Russ to feel nobody is stepping up. Bad things happen.

On the plus side we had 3 guys with 10+ rebs--Zu, Plumlee and Westbrook and won the battle of the boards. That's huge.

Mann was +13. I thought that was the standard for a great performance.

Mann had a very good play with less than 5 to go where he took the ball after a steal and pushed it up court. He put himself in front of Chris Paul and slowed down enough to force Chris Paul to push him in the back and draw the foul (vice getting punched in the nads).

[MartinToVaught]

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Does he know they lost the game?

[mttwlsn16]

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Does he know they lost the game?

Imo Zubac >Ayton, so Craig must really think Ayton is trash.

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[nickhx2]

If you told me Russ would shoot 3/19, but still ended up contributing to a win with boards, blocks and FTs down the stretch, I'm out of the room before you even finish talking. Props to Ty for trusting him, same as he did with Gordon.

Not getting too excited after a single game, but we can probably all agree that losing it would've been awful. Now we have a decent chance to make some noise. As much as I'd enjoy the Suns imploding, seriously doubt that's going to happen. In fact, they're probably going to try and make a statement next game, but the damage has already been done. Seeing all their stars playing huge minutes and not being able to get the job done was a great sight.

Still think 2-2 before heading back to Phoenix seems like a positive outcome, it's just too bad that PG will most likely miss the entire series. Was hoping he could give us a boost so we could take it over the finish line. But as long as Kawhi is out there, anything can happen. Fun fact: he outscored KD, Booker & CP3 combined in the second half.

And we haven't even unleashed Mook and RoCo yet.

Go Clippers!

same

i mean let's be real, westbrook taking bad shot after bad shot should never be a thing. but pretty much every time i rolled my eyes after terrible shot, he was somehow on the other end batting the ball away or being in the right place to make up for it.

definitely pleasantly surprised taking the first win. if we go up 2-0 then i'll start getting excited, but until then i'm just happy to see the team compete well against a good team.

that said...

we know better than anyone (besides raps fans) what alpha scorer kawhi is like. and we also know that he goes from that to omega-level in the playoffs. my original predictions were suns in 6, unless we somehow snagged game 1. but now that we have, and now that it's clear that kawhi's going to be doing his thing, AND that lue is doing his best to put the right lineups around him (no morris? ok, we good), then we have a hell of a shot for kawhi to be the best player in the playoffs. and sometimes that's all you need.

the 4 guard lineups are silly as all hell, but i guess with the suns bench being what it is, and MP being legit solid all game, it doesn't matter as much how small they are? seems critical to add that all the guys in those lineups did stuff. i saw bones getting after it on D. powell didn't even go nuclear like he usually does, but he was timely and i've secretly had misgivings that he'd go cold at the worst time possible. instead? now i think we're gonna get one, or maybe even two NORMAL POWER games in this series that will make everyone hate us again for that portland trade lol. and this is not even mentioning that zubac is having bigger impact than ayton, or that cp3 just might have entered doc's "let's go ALL IN ON HIM THIS SUMMER" territory aka he's 2 years past his last playable year.

a lot of positives to look forward to is all i'm saying. and a lot of quiet confidence i would expect from many of us.

[nickhx2]

That was 100% the best part, guy gives up on the play and actually let's the Clippers retain the ball when he maybe could have recovered it

i think you're the only person here who plays or has played regularly though - i mean to my eye isn't grabbing that ball there probably ridiculously hard? especially given the speed and angle?

[clipperlover]

That was 100% the best part, guy gives up on the play and actually let's the Clippers retain the ball when he maybe could have recovered it

i think you're the only person here who plays or has played regularly though - i mean to my eye isn't grabbing that ball there probably ridiculously hard? especially given the speed and angle?

Booker wasn't going to get the ball. The problem is that he was too busy running the turn and whine that he took his eyes off the ball and let it get thrown off of him.

[og15]

That was 100% the best part, guy gives up on the play and actually let's the Clippers retain the ball when he maybe could have recovered it

i think you're the only person here who plays or has played regularly though - i mean to my eye isn't grabbing that ball there probably ridiculously hard? especially given the speed and angle?

Haha, you're very correct, I didn't actually mean him recovering it off the throw or catching the ball, that would be quite impressive, but maybe move his body out of the way or something and the ball bounces to his team, but instead he's focusing on the ref.

[clipperlover]

Lol:

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Don't think the comments went as expected.

[og15]

Lol:

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Don't think the comments went as expected.

It was obviously unintentional. Some things in the NBA happen because some players are literally a foot taller or shorter than each other. A 7'0 guys elbow is basically right in line with a 6'0 guys head, but alternatively, a small players arms are right in line with a bigger players mid-section. Not everything is malicious, some things are, but Plumlee was just running back and clearly not paying attention. Of course NBA doesn't base flagrants on intention, but since the ball wasn't around them or anything, don't think that gets called even if a ref sees it. If the ball was in the mix, then yes, they would call something, because not looking or being aware is still considered a foul.

[Ballings7]

Such a fun win.. lots of neat moments and big plays from this team

Kawhi was fantastic.. Gordon and Powell were timely and did well to support Kawhi, Zubac and Plumlee solid, Mann was Mann.. Russ' was key, take less shots, but put on the hustle and defense he had coming into the league out of UCLA and kind of became a forgotten part of his game, because of his offense and stardom chase. Love to see it and shut people up. Imagine if this team didn't get him?

Clippers supporting cast is on another level than Phoenix's..

Unless Phoenix triple and double team's Kawhi over a game - no one can truly contain him over a game or a quarter. He's too good, and has been playing at this level since January and luv that no one has known it..

Torey Craig will be interesting the rest of the series.

Didn't realize would have to play Denver next round... definitely not good.

[Akklaim1]

Has it been confirmed that the Suns fan that Russ was beefing with at half time was the same douche that was flexing his money on national TV during Giannis’ free throws in the ‘21 Finals?

[ERClips]

Any of you guys concerned about integrating PG into our playoff lineup IF we get past Phoenix?

Not that he doesn’t know our system but adding someone of his caliber & still unsure fit with Kawhi along with the potential for lapses in good judgement make me nervous if we get to that point.

[NickP]

It's not funny. Teacher's pet has been good with the "little things" and plus/minus but has not put up numbers. Before that cheap hoop at the end, he had 8 points, 4 rebs, 2 assists and 4 TOs in 24 minutes. And Batum was even more meh: 3/1/2 in 21 minutes.

Russ was heaving because people weren't stepping up after the Suns choked off Kawhi with double-teams. You don't want Russ to feel nobody is stepping up. Bad things happen.

On the plus side we had 3 guys with 10+ rebs--Zu, Plumlee and Westbrook and won the battle of the boards. That's huge.

Mann was +13. I thought that was the standard for a great performance.

Mann had a very good play with less than 5 to go where he took the ball after a steal and pushed it up court. He put himself in front of Chris Paul and slowed down enough to force Chris Paul to push him in the back and draw the foul (vice getting punched in the nads).

You know you're trying to argue with esqtvd who uses +/- only to make a point about Morris. Morris "does his job" when he ends up with 3 points and 2 boards and a +5. So even if Mann ends up with +7, but scores only 10 then he underperforms. So it's best we leave him and his +/- alone.

[esqtvd]

It's not funny. Teacher's pet has been good with the "little things" and plus/minus but has not put up numbers. Before that cheap hoop at the end, he had 8 points, 4 rebs, 2 assists and 4 TOs in 24 minutes. And Batum was even more meh: 3/1/2 in 21 minutes.

Russ was heaving because people weren't stepping up after the Suns choked off Kawhi with double-teams. You don't want Russ to feel nobody is stepping up. Bad things happen.

On the plus side we had 3 guys with 10+ rebs--Zu, Plumlee and Westbrook and won the battle of the boards. That's huge.

Mann was +13. I thought that was the standard for a great performance.

Mann had a very good play with less than 5 to go where he took the ball after a steal and pushed it up court. He put himself in front of Chris Paul and slowed down enough to force Chris Paul to push him in the back and draw the foul (vice getting punched in the nads).

You know you're trying to argue with esqtvd who uses +/- only to make a point about Morris. Morris "does his job" when he ends up with 3 points and 2 boards and a +5. So even if Mann ends up with +7, but scores only 10 then he underperforms. So it's best we leave him and his +/- alone.

Don't be a d*ck, lol. When teacher's pet Mann [or Batum] does the same thing as Mook, it's fine. And RoCo is even worse.

Hopefully we don't get so desperate that Mook has to even play again. Mann [+13] and Batum [-8] are not killing us but could produce more. 13/5/2 with 5 TOs in 45 combined minutes is not great. Big meh.


Others are carrying the load. Including Westbrook. Anybody who dogged Russ owes an apology. The guy is sweating blood for us out there. Mann and Batum are bringing up the rear. Time for them to start making plays and I hope they do.