This is what is called a reference victory! Two days after their success on the floor of the Wizards, the Clippers chained against a team of a completely different caliber, the Celtics. By largely winning against the best team in the league (113-93), the Los Angeles players probably wanted to send a message…
The Clippers built their lead quarter after quarter. The first half in the pocket (56-47), the Californians supported in the third period where Paul George, despite the defense of Marcus Smart, and especially Kawhi Leonard took the game on their own. In difficulty to convert to 3-pointers, the Celtics saw the gap widen dangerously until the end of these twelve minutes (88-72).
Jaylen Brown and Grant Williams had a good fight in the following possessions, the C’s started from far too far to hope to come back to the score.
On two new baskets from the best player on the floor tonight, Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles even offered its largest lead (104-80), paving the way for a few minutes of “garbage time”.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Clippers best game. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard both at 25 points or more, a very applied defense which is moreover against the best attack in the league… There is not too much to procrastinate: the Clippers signed the best game of their season . Beyond the final score, it was seen in the attitudes, in the third quarter in particular, that the Californians wanted to remind the league that they will have to be counted on in the months to come. Defeating the best team in the league by a wide margin is one thing, doing so by limiting them for the first time to below 100 points is another.
– A hard-to-swallow return to the zone. Taken two away from the circle, Paul George sought to pass on to Luke Kennard. The latter stumbled and struggled to control the leather, to the point of passing to the other side of the halfway line. The Celtics then logically thought that the return to the zone was going to be whistled but the referee ruled that the ball had been deflected by a Boston player during the transmission of “PG” (which the slow motion does not show…). Grant Williams and his family stopped in defense, Luke Kennard did not hesitate to send 3-pointers, thus giving his team a 17-point lead (97-80) eight minutes from the end. Painful for the Celtics sanctioned by an offensive foul, from Marcus Smart, on the next possession…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Kawhi Leonard. While Paul George scored a point more than him but with 10 more shots, “The Klaw” signed his best game this season, by far. Present in defense and his team’s best passer, he was clean on the other side of the field. Author of a 3-point basket in first intention in transition, in the third quarter, the winger especially shone in his usual game on the periphery. His “fadeaway” in front of Jaylen Brown, in front of which he was able to create a micro-shift with his back to the circle, is a marvel of the genre. Too bad he left three points on the way on the free throw line.
✅ Malcolm Brogdon. Another very convincing outing for the Celtics’ 6th luxury man. He especially shone with his ease in accelerating in dribbling and finishing in penetration. Among the bench players, he was well supported by Grant Williams.
⛔ Marcus Smart. It still happens regularly this season to the leader of the Celtics to largely miss his subject. New illustration this night with a calamitous outing in address and impact in the Boston attack. Apart from his defense on Paul George, not much to remember from his match.
THE FOLLOWING
Clippers (16-13) : reception of Wolves, Wednesday.
Celtics (21-7) : trip to the Lakers, next night.
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