Clippers, ‘positive’ despite being on the brink of elimination
“We’re hopeful, we’re definitely staying positive,” said Paul George, who contributed a double-double of 23 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists.
“Without a doubt this series could be in a completely different way if not for certain plays that we would like to be able to repeat and have a different result. Today was a tough result because we had a chance to get ahead on a couple of possessions, but we struggled making baskets, that’s what the game came down to, we played great defense, but we didn’t make the baskets,” added George after the Clippers’ 32.5 percent shooting efficiency from the field.
Both teams struggled with offensive efficiency, just look at the final score. Suns shot 36 percent from the field, holding them to 34 points in the second half. Devin Booker finished with 25 units for them, without being a total determining factor as in other games. DeAndre Ayton was a determining factor at the rim with 22 rebounds for Phoenix.
There was a moment in the last quarter, when the score was 71-70, that both teams missed shot after shot, exemplifying the above. Clippers couldn’t capitalize on Suns’ misses to tip the scales in their favor.
“There are nights like that, we’ve seen it historically. We tried to play through that and we were hoping to find the moment in the game that could turn the tide or the energy that would get us out of that slump, but we couldn’t find it during those tough minutes and in the whole game really,” George said.
Paul George has played big for the Los Angeles Angels this playoffs, unlike last season when he was criticized for his performance. Now, with the absence of Kawhi Leonard due to a knee injury suffered in the previous semifinal round against the Utah Jazz, George has taken a starring role. PG leads current playoff contenders in minutes played with 695, as well as points scored with 449.
Kawhi Leonard’s presence remains in doubt, it is unknown if the Clippers star can return for the fifth game of the series.
“The most important thing is Kawhi’s long-term health. I can’t speak for him on where he is physically, but if he’s not 100 percent, we don’t want him on the court. As his teammate and brother, the only thing that matters to me is that he’s healthy, that’s the number one thing,” PG said.
On Saturday night at the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Angels were looking to even the series to slowly come back from the 0-2 deficit with which they started the Conference Finals. That scenario was not unfamiliar to the Los Angeles Angels, as they started the previous rounds of the current postseason. However, they fell short of achieving it. The previous game, they reduced the deficit to 2-1, but now the Suns have put the balance 3-1 in their favor, leaving the Clippers on the brink of elimination.
Monday in Phoenix will be Game 5, a decisive game for Clippers.
“It’s going to be tough, it’s a win-or-go-home game for us, so we have to go out and win,” George finished.
