Apr 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6), forward Blake Griffin (32), forward Matt Barnes (22) and guard Chris Paul (3) react after an offensive basket interference call against Jordan in the final seconds as San Antonio Spurs players Tim Duncan (21) and guard Tony Parker (6) watch in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. The Spurs defeated the Clippers 111-107 to take a 3-2 lead. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs against the Los Angeles Clippers in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. The Spurs defeated the Clippers 111-107 to take a 3-2 lead. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Clippers return to San Antonio tonight with their season on the line and a final shot at redemption. They’ve dominated offensively at times, and have showed how well they can begin a game when firing on all cylinders. But in their last two losses, they’ve been unable to prevail due to their failure to close out in the fourth quarter. Whether it’s holding onto a lead or a last second blunder, the Clippers now find themselves in a dangerous position.
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Even though the 111-107 loss to the Spurs in game five wasn’t a close out game, it is always one of the most pivotal stages of a series when both teams are tied at 2-2. In game two, the Clippers lost it at the end. Primarily due to a Blake Griffin turnover at the end of the fourth quarter when he had a chance to close the game. In game five, L.A. lost after DeAndre Jordan was too quick to take off for an offensive rebound and was called for offensive goaltending. He was only a fraction of a second too early, but it cost the Clippers the chance of taking the lead with only four seconds left.
Tonight — as has been the problem for the them all series — the Clippers will need to overcome their lack of depth and execute with precision in the final quarter. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have carried a great deal of the load over the last five games, but if they want to take this series to seven games, they’re going to need to take everything to another level.
It’s a simple and obvious statement. Although, when you tend to rely on star power over depth and total team play, that’s sometimes all there is to it.
So, Blake, that means four dunks on Aron Baynes this time.
The Clippers came out strong once again in game five, and at half time they led 54-53. It’s what they’ve done well all series. Their win in game one was spurred on by the momentum they gained in the first quarter, as well. They took a 30-18 lead and it set the fast paced tone for the rest of the game. It’s the fourth quarter, though, where their real troubles lie.
Apr 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) is fouled by San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green (14) in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. The Spurs defeated the Clippers 111-107 to take a 3-2 lead. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Once again, the hack-a-Jordan tactic hurt the Clippers in game five, as Jordan only made 7 of his 16 free throws and the Spurs were able to capitalize from the way it damaged the Clippers’ offensive rhythm. It won’t be surprising if Gregg Popovich continues to utilize the strategy tonight, either. Which means that unless Jordan has stayed awake practicing his free throws for the last 48 hours and has somehow transformed his game, the matter of closing out (or catching up) in the fourth quarter rests on the shoulders of his teammates.
However, the Clippers have their fair share of firepower. Paul and Griffin have excelled this series (except for the 100-73 blowout in game three). Paul has averaged 22.6 points on 53.2 percent shooting (including 40.9 percent from deep) whilst Blake has been a triple double threat every night, averaging 23.8 points, 13.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists.
Griffin has proved how much the Spurs’ weaker rim protectors struggle when trying to hold him away from the basket, and the likes of Boris Diaw, Aron Baynes and Tiago Splitter just haven’t been able to slow him down. Griffin continues to operate the offense with great efficiency from the top of they key, and his vision has given the Clippers’ shooters the best looks possible when they rotate around the perimeter. If he can keep attacking the rim with as much ferocity, rebound his heart out while Jordan is on the bench and stretch the Spurs’ defense as much as possible with his passing, the Clippers at least have some hope of winning this series.
Apr 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (21) dunks the ball against San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The stellar performance of Paul and Blake aside, though, it’s clear that the Clippers’ deadly one-two punch can’t take down the defending champions by themselves.
Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard lead the way for the Spurs, as the Big Fundamental has three 20 point-10 rebound games already this series, whilst the recently crowned Defensive Player of the Year has averaged 23.4 points on 54.3 percent shooting. Kawhi is emerging as a force on both ends of the floor, and if the Clippers can contain Duncan in the post with Jordan and not get burned by Leonard’s hot shooting, they have a far better chance of success tonight.
Unfortunately, that is also a lot easier said than done.
The performance of their second unit is, yet again, another factor to watch out for. In game five, only Jamal Crawford, Austin Rivers and Glen Davis received any playing time off the bench, and it was still only around 11 minutes for the latter two.
If they’re fortunate enough for Rivers to reach his full potential again and have another 16 point night on 85 percent shooting like he did in game four, or for Davis to set the biggest screens of his life to create some extra space, the bench production in addition to Crawford will be vital.
Even if Paul, Blake and J.J. Redick play over 40 minutes again.
Apr 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) reach for the ball in the first quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The aggression at which the Clippers have played with thus far — in particular the tenacity of Griffin — has been the key factor in allowing them to make this such a close series. If they’re able to muster that aggression one more time, keep their composure in the fourth quarter under the leadership of Paul, and their bench can at least hang onto a lead, the Clippers may be able to go to seven games.
It’s going to be a tall order, but this series has been closely fought throughout. And despite the Spurs throwing everything they have at the Clippers, they have withstood the storm and are only one game down.
Tonight could be decided by their sense of urgency and tenacity alone. They’ve fared better than most expected, so let’s see if they can prove their doubters wrong again in game six.