Spurs Crush Clippers In Game 3: The 5 Things We Learned

Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

After the series looked relatively close two games in, the San Antonio Spurs looked like their 2014 champion selves again in game three. Now that they lead the series 2-1, here’s five things we can take away from their latest contest against the Los Angeles Clippers.

It was L.A. who burst out the gates to begin the series with a 107-92 win, including going 51.3 percent from the field and reaping the rewards of the Spurs shooting a mere 36.6 percent. In game three, however, the roles completely reversed.

The Spurs’ lead just got out of hand, as the biggest margin of the game reached 37 points. Meanwhile, the Clippers trailed the entire game. Not just that, but L.A. were also out rebounded 47-38, out scored in fast break situations 13-8, and most importantly, they were completely outperformed in terms of efficiency.

The Clippers only made 34.1 percent of their shots, and their final total of 73 points was their lowest scoring output of this entire season. If that wasn’t enough, they also made just 6-of-23 three-pointers, leaving them completely outscored in every quarter bar the second (which they won 22-21). Game three just didn’t resemble the offense that dominated the Spurs in game one at all, and with the Spurs obviously having the upper hand in depth, the Clippers’ starting five will need to be at their very best tonight if they wan’t to avoid facing a 3-1 deficit.

More from Clipperholics

• Grade the trade: Clippers shockingly land Trae Young in wild proposal
• 3 of the most overpaid players on the LA Clippers’ roster
• Trading for this player covers the Clippers’ biggest weakness
• How will the LA Clippers fare in the in-season tournament?
• Why the LA Clippers should steer clear of recent gold medalist waiver

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin even combined to hit only 9-0f-26 shots, which essentially helped set the tone for the rest of the team. Even if the Clippers were drastically outmatched in game three, it doesn’t mean that will be the case for the rest of the games that await them this series. They still showed what they are capable of in game one, and just need to come close to that form again in order to give the defending champions the challenge they deserve.

However, we’ll have to wait and see how tonight’s game turns out, so here are the five key things we learned after the Spurs’ latest victory.