After winning Game 1, the Los Angeles Clippers now find themselves on the ropes as they’ve dropped the past two games to the Dallas Mavericks and are now down 2-1 in their first-round series.
Los Angeles managed to win Game 1 without Kawhi Leonard, but since his return the team has failed to find their groove on both ends of the floor.
Both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have presented massive problems for the Clippers’ defense, while their role players like Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington have made their mark.
Without a fully healthy Leonard, who clearly is still limited by his knee, the team needs more from Paul George who has largely taken a backseat on offense.
Aside from his poor shooting, George has also struggled to stay on the floor due to foul trouble.
After the Game 3 loss, George let out some of his frustrations by seemingly throwing some shade at the officials, via Joey Linn of Sports Illustrated.
“Been the last 3 games. I don’t know what it is. I thought this was playoff basketball… Defense can be physical and be aggressive on me. Other side of it I pick up quick cheap ones. But I gotta be better,” George said.
Paul George on his foul trouble:
“Been the last 3 games. I don’t know what it is. I thought this was playoff basketball… Defense can be physical and be aggressive on me. Other side of it I pick up quick cheap ones. But I gotta be better.”
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) April 27, 2024
Officiating hasn’t been very consistent this season, and so far the same remains true in the playoffs as the referees have routinely missed calls or made some poor ones.
To George’s point, playoff basketball usually allows players more chances to be physical defensively and the forward has been punished for it.
With the prospect of facing a 3-1 series deficit, George will need to figure out a way to play through the whistle in Game 4.
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Luka Doncic Says 1 Clippers Veteran Is An ‘Unbelievable Player’
