LA Clippers: Game 4 against Dallas Mavericks ends series

A Game 3 victory swung the series in the LA Clippers’ favor. A win in Game 4 might be all that’s needed to take out a wounded Dallas Mavericks team.

The LA Clippers have learned from their past and now they are reaping the rewards of the future. Head coach Doc Rivers made the right decisions in Game 2. He started the right point guard. What that did was bolster the defense and create a pathway for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to dominate.

George wasn’t up to par in Game 3. Game 4 will have to be different. The Dallas Mavericks will be watching tape. They will force the ball into his hands.

Leonard was his usual self in Game 1 and scored 29 points. It was George, though, who scored 27 points and had four threes. That was what hurt Dallas. The Mavericks have made a pact to under all circumstances not let George catch fire from three.

According to ESPN George said:

“Shot-making … scoring the ball is not what I [only] do,” he added. “I try to do everything, I try to play the game the right way and just get lost in the game and try to pass the ball and make plays defensively, rebound. Just a little bit of everything. I am going through a tough time, but good thing about it, we are up 2-1 in this series and I haven’t shot the ball well.”

Putting George in the main playmaking role is what will have to happen in order for this series to end. Watch out for the pull up three from George.

The time is now for him to have another great game. Luka Doncic has an injury and the underdog mindset is back in Dallas’ heads. It is Game 1 all over again for the Clippers. Everybody knows the series is over if the Clippers win a game that can give them a 3-1 series lead.

Game 5 will not even matter if the Mavericks don’t win Game 4. Let’s face it, both teams know each other by now. There’s nothing left to learn. A dominant offense (Mavericks) facing an experienced and talented team (Clippers).

Game 4 should be amazing. Two juggernauts will throw their all at each other. Something has to give. The team that comes out on top is the one that gives the most energy.

Here’s what head coach Doc Rivers said about Leonard in Game 3:

”That was a fast-paced game but for Kawhi, he can see the game even though it’s fast and he’s never in a rush and knows where to go,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.

Leonard will provide the energy the Clippers need. He’s been through this twice. This series needs to end as soon as possible. Leonard cannot play a seven-game series in the first round of the bubble. It’s just that simple.

Also, the next opponent will be more physical than the Clippers are. What the Utah Jazz are doing with Rudy Gobert is nothing short of amazing. The Denver Nuggets are also a bruising team. That is if they can advance after falling down 2-1.

Kawhi and George are running LA’s offense. Getting this early rest will stick with the philosophy of thinking of the long run. Learning from the past affects the future.

Leonard helped end the Toronto Raptors’ first-round matchup against the Orlando Magic early. The next series is going to be physical and challenging like last year was with the Philadelphia 76ers. There may be another mega matchup between Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James in the Western Conference Finals.

Leonard will have to use his experience, talent and defensive abilities to win that matchup with another MVP caliber player.

The Finals are looking similar to last year. The Milwaukee Bucks have not looked great at all during the bubble. The Clippers can take advantage.

The other LA team has the experience they have lacked in years past. This time around for Leonard, though, will be tough. That’s why George is there. Both players have brought in a changing of the guard. An ascension of a dead franchise.

The LA Clippers lost in the first round in their last three trips. Building wins boosts morale. With this team, it looks like the Clippers have learned from the past and will reap the rewards of the future.