The Los Angeles Clippers were beaten in the first two matches of the playoffs series by the brilliant Utah Jazz. Therefore they reached the Staples Centre brimming with confidence. They even started Game 3 with a bang, taking the early lead. However, the early dominance from the away team saw Tyronn Lue calling timeout within the first two minutes.
He sparked a different level of fire in the Clippers and pointed out the mistakes that they were making early on. The timeout changed the course of the game and the Clippers resumed the match with great intensity and precision. The game changed completely and in no time the Jazz were trailing by 15 points at halftime and eventually lost the match 132-106.
Donovan Mitchell who has been the key member for the Jazz in the last two wins was well managed by Ivica Zubac and Kawhi Leonard. They got many blocks and also forced him out of possession. whereas Paul George had a great night in the offense. even Nicolas Batum who played as a center controlled the DPOY Rudy Gobert with aplomb.
The match incidentally had similarities to their comeback against the Mavs in the last round with Leonard and PG combining to score 65 points in Game 3. In the post-match interview, Paul George was chuffed with the win and he credits the initial problems against the Mavs helped him and his teammates to inspire the comeback against the Jazz.
The 7-time NBA All-Star said when questioned what inspired their comeback, “I wish I could answer to that, it is what it is. A little fire under us, we had to come out and play. The way Dallas came here and had their way with us, we knew we had to come to protect this home court.”
The Jazz lost the game when Donovan Mitchell struggled to score in the first quarter. Although he came back in the second quarter, the game had already swayed towards the Clippers. Also, the Jazz failed to get fouls and impose themselves inside the paint.
With the series standing at 2-1, the Jazz cannot afford to lose their stronghold by losing another game. Whereas the Clippers have been in this position earlier and they will look to replicate the same.
