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Clutch Play Will Determine LA Clippers’ Championship Hopes

By Ray Harris

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 26: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers goes to the basket against Xavier Tillman #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at FedExForum on February 26, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 26: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers goes to the basket against Xavier Tillman #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at FedExForum on February 26, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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Now that the second half of the season has started, the LA Clippers will begin their quest to win their first ever NBA Championship. In order to accomplish this long-awaited goal, the Clippers must resolve their inability to close out some games as clutch play will determine their championship hopes.

In an interview for ESPN, reporter Rachel Nichols asked Kawhi Leonard about the LA Clippers’ issues with closing games in clutch time in the fourth quarter. Leonard responded by saying that they just simply need to “make shots”. That’s a really simplistic and obvious answer (even coming from the mild-mannered Leonard). However, it was his next statement that was more telling.

Kawhi Leonard went on to say that the LA Clippers have to make sure that the “spacing is there, and that we’re running the right plays”. Running the right plays? Half of the season is behind us and there’s still an issue with running the right play? Whose responsibility is that?

Better play in the clutch is key for the LA Clippers as the playoffs approach.

Unlike previous coach Doc Rivers and his iso-style of offense, Ty Lue uses more spacing principles in his offensive philosophy. The end goal is to have the middle of the lane open for drive and dish opportunities, especially for Leonard and Paul George.  So far this season, the LA Clippers have been successful using this philosophy in spurts. But when it gets into the fourth quarter, something goes awry and it leaves Leonard and George to revert back to the same iso-style incorporated by former coach Doc Rivers.

I’ve given my opinion on many occasions about the need for another point guard on this team, so I won’t belabor that point to the extreme in this article! In last year’s disappointing bubble playoff exit against the Denver Nuggets, some LA Clippers fans think the only reason they lost was because they simply missed shots in clutch time. In the opinion of many other Clipper fans, it may not be that simplistic.

Read. LA Clippers: Predicting the Record at the End of the Season. light

Kawhi Leonard of course, is a player who says very few words during interviews. So when he does speak, you must listen very carefully to what he’s trying to say. The one cryptic response to Nichol’s question regarding spacing and knowing what play is supposed to be run is all you need to know. Whether that falls on coach Lue or whoever is running the point, it must be corrected if the LA Clippers are going to win their first championship.

The first game after the break against the Golden State Warriors resulted in a 130-104 victory. Floor spacing wasn’t an issue in this game, and even the LA Clippers can’t blow a 30-point lead in the fourth quarter. The two-team leaders in assists however were George with five and Leonard with four. When the playoffs start and defenses start to tighten up, your two superstar scorers can’t also lead the team in assists every game. It’s simply not sustainable over a long playoff run.

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As we get closer to playoff time, can the LA Clippers resolve their fourth quarter woes in enough time to start a long playoff run? Time will certainly tell as we labor through the second half of the season. Can you imagine a Clippers championship banner being raised in the Staples Center on the opposite side of the arena where the Lakers have several banners? Now that would be clutch.

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