3 Things We Learned From Game One- LA Clippers Edition
- Updated: April 20, 2015
(Photo via Twitter User @NBAcom)
The LA Clippers played an excellent game one against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs winning 107-92. While fans were dialyzed by the highlights of Blake Griffin and the brilliance of Chris Paul there were some take aways from game one that I wanted to share.
1. Tony Parker Can’t Guard Chris Paul
This was apparent in game one. Chris Paul was able to do whatever he wanted to against Tony Parker and there was nothing Parker could do about it. Charles Barkley at halftime of the game talked about how Parker vs. Paul was a wash that they cancel each other out. The lie detector determined that was lie. Parker looked a little slow in game one and I don’t expect to stay that way throughout the series but I do expect the Spurs to make a few adjustments defensively. The Clippers shot 10/18 from the three point line in game one and late in the fourth quarter the Spurs went to a zone. Maybe they throw a zone defense at the Clippers in game two. Maybe Kawhi Leonard switches on to Paul to try to slow him down. One thing is certain. The Clippers are going to go as far as Paul takes him. Tony Parker was quoted before the game that Chris Paul’s time will come, just not this year. If Paul can maintain his brillance in the series he may be able to pull a Barkhad Abdi on Tom Hanks.
2. Danny Green is the X Factor
As much as the Chris Paul and Tony Parker matchup is important, I think we learned in game two that Danny Green is a huge X factor in the series. In the 2013 NBA Finals he awed fans with his sweet shooting touch. He set NBA Finals records in numerous categories and even though the Spurs lost that series he still played a huge roll in their successes throughout the run. In the 2014 playoffs he followed up being extremely consistent knocking down 48% of his threes and Spurs went on to win the title. 2015, he’s averaged a career high in points averaging 11.7 points per game. Danny Green is a key factor for this Spurs team. His ability to knock down shots gets the team energized and helps him lock in on defense. In game one he shot just 2/11 from the field, 1/7 from deep. He’s going to shoot better throughout the series and he’s bound to have a huge game. The Clippers need to watch out.
3. Free Throws Will Win/Lose a Game
After all the talk about DeAndre Jordan and his inability to hit free throws, it was the Spurs who were the ones who were unable to connect from the charity stripe. The Spurs ranked fourth in the league in free throw percentage at 78% during the regular season. On the other side of the coin the Clippers ranked 28th at 71%. In game one the Spurs shot just 14/26 from the line a whopping 54%. They definitely won’t shoot that poorly from the line throughout the series and you can bank on that. As my college coach used to always say after every game,”think about how many missed free throws, layups, and turnovers you had. That will win a loose ball games.” The intentional fouls on DeAndre Jordan didn’t play too much of a factor but look for the Spurs to go back to it in more games this series especially on the road.
Game two will take place on Wednesday night. The Clippers will have to stay focused and take care of business at home.
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