The LA Clippers ended up falling short in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, but found lots of success guarding the Suns’ dominant backcourt duo of Chris Paul and Devin Booker.
The Clips are down three games to one, but have certainly shown how to bounce back from daunting deficits in the postseason this year. This was the third series out of three where they have been down 0-2 to start the series.
There are now 13 teams who have come back from being down three to one in a postseason series, and the Clippers absolutely have what it takes to be the 14th one.
The LA Clippers are still alive in this series due to their fierce defense on the Suns’ backcourt.
In Game 4, the LA Clippers held the Suns’ starting backcourt tandem to a combined 43 points. They shot 14 of 44 in the contest, and missed all eight three-point shots that they took.
This was no unfamiliar site for the Clips, as in Game 3, the Suns starting backcourt was held to 30 total points on 10 of 40 shooting from the field. They only hit 3 of 14 three-point shots.
The decision to start Patrick Beverley was already paying dividends on Devin Booker in Game 2, and then it translated perfectly for when Chris Paul re-entered the lineup in Game 3.
In Game 1, Devin Booker was unstoppable. He scored 40 points, grabbed 13 boards, and dropped 11 dimes. He was 15 of 29 from the field, and three for seven from three-point land.
The adjustments on Booker kept the Clippers close in Game 2, won them Game 3, and kept them in a Game 4 where the Clippers only shot 32.5% from the field, and 16.1% from three offensively.
Despite Deandre Ayton being the most consistent Sun this postseason, it’s clear that Paul and Booker are the two best players on the team.
If they’re out of the picture consistently, the Clippers can absolutely make the historic comeback.
Beverley has done a great job pestering Booker and providing ball pressure, and it’s having its effect on Booker. For Paul, the Clippers are doing a great job staying in front of him and helping out when needed on those mid-range jumpers that Paul has essentially trademarked at this point.
They haven’t hit in this series for Paul, as the Clips are finding ways to be quick and close out on them.
Pat Bev even drew a great foul while on the defensive end to get Booker to foul out of the game yesterday. The Clippers are refusing to let Booker/Paul beat them, and it’s a solid strategy.
The Suns may be in control of this series, but putting pressure on their two backcourt stars is the best way to claw back into it.