LA Clippers: 3 Things to Watch For in Game 4 Against Denver

After the LA Clippers took a 2-1 lead, we take a look at what to watch for in Game 4.

The LA Clippers managed to bounce back from a disappointing loss in Game 2 and took the third game by a score of 113-107. While it was nice to get the win, it was far from a perfect game.

When the defense is on, it’s on. But the Clippers have spent too much time this series with the defense switch flipped to “OFF.” Not to mention, after averaging 12 turnovers against Dallas, the Clips have coughed the ball up 16.3 times a game against the Nuggets.

But, today is a new day and Game 4 is a new game. Let’s check out 3 things to look for in tonight’s game against Denver.

1. Can the LA Clippers stop the 3 point barrage from Jokic?

A big weakness for the Clippers against the Nuggets has been the three-point shooting by Denver, especially by Nikola Jokic. The big man is shooting 46.7% from three on 5 attempts a game, which is an absurd number, especially since he only shot 31.4% from deep in the regular season.

So what’s going on here? The answer really lies in how the Clippers are guarding on-ball screens. Check out this play from Game 3, which illustrates the problem. The Clips are playing a drop defense on screens with Ivica Zubac.

Zu is doing what he’s supposed to do in this scheme. He drops back to protect the rim from Gary Harris while Kawhi trails, cutting off the drive by the ballhandler. But, by sending the other three players to the other side of the floor, the Nuggets have made sure that no defender can help onto Jokic, leaving him wide open for 3.

By the way, this isn’t a new wrinkle. Check this out from Game 2. Same deal: Jokic and Morris run the pick and pop, the Clips play drop coverage, there’s nobody to help on the pop.

The thought process might just be “Jokic was a 31 percent shooter in the regular season. Make him take those threes.” Unfortunately, that’s not working right now – he seems to shoot just a bit better when he has enough time to do his taxes before shooting.

And when Jokic is draining them from deep, it opens up the floor for him. Now you’ve gotta play tight on him, which either lets him find a passing lane for a cutting Nugget or lets him take his defender 1 on 1.

If the Clips want to tighten up on defense, they need to start by figuring out how to limit these wide-open threes from Jokic.