LA Clippers Takeaway #2: Paul George and Kawhi Leonard got it done early
Just as it was a big game for Jackson and Mann, it was an even bigger game for Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Once again, the two superstars came into this game looking to score early and score often. Both Leonard and George scored seven points each in the first quarter.
George continued to shoot at a high-level from behind the three-point arc in the first half as he went 4-of-5 on three-pointers, including 3-of-4 in the second quarter. George is proving himself to everyone, once again, that he is one of the most efficient scorers from beyond the three-point arc.
Leonard, on the other hand, was very aggressive as an interior scorer, putting up a solid night of scoring by driving to the rim. Leonard scored five field-goals in the third quarter for 11 points. Three of them were in the paint, one from three and just one from inside the arc but outside of the paint.
George finished the night with 26 points shooting 8-of-14 from the field, 4-of-8 from the three-point arc, and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. He also accounted for four rebounds and two assists. Leonard led the team in points with 27 shooting 10-for-15 from the field and was 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. He also accounted for four rebounds, six assists, and one steal.
Leonard scored all 27 of his points in the first three quarters while George all but two of his 26 points in the first three quarters. Although these players are high-caliber scoring players, they are playing well in each of their roles in head coach Ty Lue’s system.