On April 8, Beijing time, in the NBA regular season, the Clippers narrowly defeated the Cavaliers 120-118 at home. Fourth-quarter scores: 40-33, 40-26, 18-27, 20-34. It can also be seen from the score that the Cavaliers scored 80 points in the first half and only scored 38 points in the second half. The Cavaliers led by as many as 26 points, only to be overturned by the Clippers.
Leonard was sidelined for the fourth game in a row due to a right knee injury, and the Cavaliers Mitchell also did not play. George played 44 minutes and 07 seconds, shooting 10-of-24, 3-of-9 three-pointers, 16-of-16 free throws, slashing 39 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, with a plus/minus of +9. The 39 points were the second-highest of George's season, behind only the 41 on April 1!
The Clippers scored 34 points in the final quarter, of which George scored 23 points alone, almost single-handedly leading the team to a reversal! In the last 7.1 seconds of the final quarter, George made a jump shot, and the ball shook the opponent + 24 seconds to press the whistle. Coming back, George blocked Garland's driving layup. This is the star of the offense and defense, and in just a few seconds, George saved the Clippers twice.
After Garland was blocked, the Cavaliers had 1.7 seconds left to attack. Strus received the ball in the bottom corner and prepared for a three-point shot, but Westbrook's close defense locked it up, and finally the Clippers narrowly beat the Cavaliers. In this game, Wei Shao came off the bench for 25 minutes and 25 seconds, shooting 3 of 9, 0 of 2 three-pointers, 2 of 2 free throws, scoring 8 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, with a plus/minus of +18.
Harden started the game with 26 minutes and 12 seconds, shooting 6-of-11, 4-of-8 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, finishing with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls. Looking at these stats alone, Harden seems to be playing well, but he has a game-low plus/minus of -20. Throughout the fourth quarter, Harden was hidden in the snow, sitting on the bench and watching his teammates complete a 26-point comeback.
If you want to chase points, you must start from defense, and it is not enough to only fight with the opponent to attack. Tyronn Lue said after the game about Harden being hidden: "Harden's foot pain, and the point difference in the game, was the reason why he didn't play in the last quarter and a half. "We all know that George is facing a contract extension, but Harden is similar, and his current contract expires this summer.
Speaking of George, his contract extension negotiations have not been smooth recently, which has affected George's game form to a certain extent. This past March, George played 15 games and only scored 30+ points in 1 game, and only 31 points. Heading into April, George played five games, including a 41-point game and a 39-point game, and his form has picked up significantly.
George played 72 regular-season games this season, the highest attendance rate of his Clippers career. George averaged 22.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and 2 turnovers in 34.1 minutes per game while shooting 47%, 41% and 90.5% from three. He had a career-high shooting percentage from the field and a career-high three-point shooting percentage.
Hornets star Brandon Miller said frankly in an interview: "I don't think James is the GOAT (all-time best) in basketball, my GOAT is Paul George!" George responded: "Kobe and Maddie are my idols, and I want to be like them." I played the right way, so the young people idolized me. ”
George is currently on a four-year, $190 million contract, with a $48.79 million player option next season. Under the rules, George could sign up to a four-year, $233 million early contract extension. According to Clippers reporter Eric Pincus, George has become the number one on the 76ers' wish list and will be in a wild pursuit this summer!
In January this year, Leonard took a three-year $152.4 million salary cut to renew his contract, and the Clippers naturally didn't want to give George a four-year salary cap. But if the Clippers don't give it, there are other teams that can! Do you think the pickled pepper is worth 230 million in 4 years?