Clipperholics
Fansided

Three takeaways from the LA Clippers’ Game 1 loss to Warriors

By Garrett Chorpenning

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 13: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors has words with Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers during Game One of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. Both players were ejected later in the game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 13: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors has words with Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers during Game One of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. Both players were ejected later in the game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 13: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers reacts to a play during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors on April 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 13: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers reacts to a play during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors on April 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The LA Clippers were competitive

The LA Clippers were never close to winning in Game 1, but they did keep things interesting almost entirely throughout. Not only is that something that fans will like, but it could be a confidence booster for this team as they progress in the series.

LA trailed almost all night long, but they were never completely out of it. Even halfway through the fourth quarter, the Clippers kept the deficit as low as 13 points, which a single run can make a significant cut into. Had they gotten better shooting nights from players like Landry Shamet and Garrett Temple, there’s a chance the Clippers could’ve had this one down to single-digits in the later half of the fourth.

The Clippers also did a lot of things right in Game 1. They gave Draymond Green space to shoot, and despite the fact that he scored 17 points on 7-12 field goals, that’s a performance that he likely won’t repeat — especially from range. They did the same for DeMarcus Cousins, which seemed to work much better in comparison to Green.

Green and Cousins also combined for 12 of Golden State’s 21 turnovers, and although a good chunk of those were unforced, LA’s constant pressure definitely had something to do with the high rate.

Klay Thompson also had an underwhelming game, scoring just 12 points on 1-6 shooting from three-point range.

If the Clippers can continue to force bad passes and capitalize on Golden State’s misses from range (LA shot just 11-30 from deep tonight), it doesn’t seem unreasonable to think that they could steal at least a game from the Warriors in a series that many expect to be a four-game sweep. And because of that, I would expect LA’s confidence to soar entering Games 2 and 3.

Next. Could playoff series against Golden State help LA recruit KD?. dark

The LA Clippers will get Sunday off before meeting with Golden State once again on Monday night. With a win at Oracle, the Clippers could get a chance to head home and take a 2-1 series lead later next week on their own court. Otherwise, LA may have to look to re-gain momentum and avoid a series sweep at the hands of the defending champions.

Home/Clippers News