” Just got to leave everything out on the flooring and make certain we are paying attention to information and performing and communicating on the protective end,” Leonard said on Sunday of his message to his group about playing in Game 7s. “And thats all we can do, go out there and play hard and just ensure we understand the tactical plan.”
Leonard removed Philadelphia last year with his unforgettable buzzer-beating corner shot in Game 7 of the East semis for the Toronto Raptors.
” Hes unwavering,” Rivers stated of Leonard. “Kawhi, you cant ensure hell play well or not because hes human and all gamers are.
” But you understand, the moment wont be too huge. Thats the one thing like with him, you feel in ones bones that. Thats soothing to know that.”
Doc Rivers discussed the wreckage from the LA Clippers Game 6 collapse and saw a couple of tell-tale indications.
In blowing 2 big leads in their past 2 losses to allow the Denver Nuggets to stunningly force a Game 7, the Clippers stopped playing with the rate and purpose that helped them develop 19-point and 16-point leads in Games 5 and 6.
And in Game 6, Rivers saw the video game turn in the 3rd quarter after Jamal Murray went down hard without any foul called and Paul George hit a 3 that put the Clippers up 68-49 with 10:10 left in the quarter.
” Theres clear like potion that something happened,” Rivers stated on Monday about the Clippers 2 blown leads in a row. “The 2 things that we didnt do, plainly defensively, they shot almost 60% in the 2nd half. The something that did stick out, they went to the complimentary throw line like on every play.”
” I believe from the time when Murray went down with that injury,” Rivers added of the Nuggets shooting 12 of 16 free tosses in the 3rd after the Clippers led by 19. You see a guy go down, theres no call on the play, and then the next thing you know youre at the totally free throw line.
2 RelatedOverall, both teams shot the very same number of complimentary throws (27) in Game 6, but Rivers points out that the Nuggets hostility settled in the second half as Denver went to the line 19 times to the Clippers 11 in the 2nd half.
As the Clippers enter their most significant video game of the season attempting to advance to their very first Western Conference finals, Rivers says its essential that George and his guards remain out of nasty difficulty.
George has committed no less than 4 fouls in the three previous games with five fouls each in Games 4 and 5. Patrick Beverley likewise fouled out in 18 minutes in Game 6, putting a strain on Rivers defensive rotation.
” PG cant get in foul difficulty,” Rivers said of needing his star guard in Game 7. “I believe hes remained in foul problem at least two, possibly 3 of the games, and at times hes not even safeguarding among your key guys. Weve just got to keep him on the floor.
” The foul trouble by our guards, they have actually been very hurtful in this series, and not just the last two games. Weve got to keep our guards on the floor, since if we dont, weve got to go to lineups defensively that are not preferable.”
While the resilient Nuggets have the momentum and will be playing in their 4th successive Game 7 dating back to last postseason, the Clippers will be relying mainly on the Game 7 experience of both Rivers and Kawhi Leonard.
Rivers is no complete stranger to Game 7s. He is 6-7 in Game 7s all-time with his wins second just to Red Auerbachs 8, per ESPN Stats & & Information research study.
” Rah-rah speeches are very overrated,” Rivers said of what he will tell his team before Game 7. “They last about 3 minutes … theres no like secret speech. Thats for the motion pictures.”
” Theres nothing magical or secret,” Rivers included. “Its about playing basketball, manning up, moving the ball, doing all the important things that we can do.”
Doc Rivers is 6-7 all-time as a coach in Game 7s. Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesAnd the Clippers will lean on Leonard, the ruling Finals MVP who is 2-2 in Game 7s.
” Theres no trick like potion that something occurred,” Rivers stated on Monday about the Clippers 2 blown leads in a row.” I believe from the time when Murray went down with that injury,” Rivers added of the Nuggets shooting 12 of 16 free tosses in the 3rd after the Clippers led by 19.” PG cant get in nasty problem,” Rivers stated of needing his star guard in Game 7. “I believe hes been in foul difficulty at least two, maybe 3 of the video games, and at times hes not even protecting one of your essential guys.” Rah-rah speeches are very overrated,” Rivers stated of what he will tell his team before Game 7.
