Tyronn Lue explained that Nicolas Batum changed the game for the Clippers. By taking care of a boiling Anfernee Simons (34 points in the first three quarters) in the last quarter, which the Frenchman kept at 3 points at 1/8 shooting, he thus greatly helped his team to overturn the game against Portland.
But it was Norman Powell who spearheaded Los Angeles, scoring 22 of his 32 points in the final quarter. Faced with his former team, it looked very much like revenge…
“When you are traded by a team, you want to play against them, I thought he was a little too excited in the first half”explained the coach. “But we still have faith in our guys and he scored 24 points in the second half, really attacking the basket, going into the paint, going over the free throw line. He’s been playing really well for three or four weeks. »
For his part, Norman Powell refused any idea of revenge against his former club.
“I just told the guys to keep fighting when we got way behind in the third quarter. We knew that the match was not lost, we had to keep fighting, bring energy, play fast, hard, together. By making the necessary stops” he said just after the match.
The full-back/winger still had a message to convey.
“It’s not that at all (a desire for revenge). I love Portland. They welcomed me with open arms after my first trade, the fans and the franchise are awesome. They blessed me with this big contract that changed my life. I love the area, I still have a house, which is still for sale if anyone is interested…”
