The Los Angeles Clippers had a rough playoff this year, Leonard suffered an injury, and the two games he forced back to, the Clippers lost, and G1 and G4 Leonard missed due to injury, and the Clippers won instead. This tells the Clippers coaching staff that Leonard should be restored to 100 percent health first, and that Harden and George could lead the team to victory. Before, Clippers fans were worried about Harden's playoff status every day, but they didn't expect that in this year's playoffs, Harden played very well, scoring the most offensive points in the team, having the highest efficiency in the team, and his defense was also brilliant. Cut 33 + 6 + 8 + 4! No. 1 in the league, do your best, and wrap Harden, and you really become the biggest winner.
The Clippers have Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, Westbrook, Powell, Zubac, Terrence Mann, Coffey and other players, and there are many core giants, although Leonard is absent due to injury, but this does not affect George and Harden to break out and lead the team to win. The Clippers and the Mavericks G4, Harden and George broke out together, cutting 30+ efficiently, Harden made 11 of 17 shots, cutting 33 points + 6 rebounds + 7 assists, and George made 11 of 19 shots, contributing 33 points + 6 rebounds + 8 assists + 4 steals. Many people say that Harden is not good at playing key abilities, but in this battle, Harden broke through in the last quarter and scored small throws, and scored 15 points in the final quarter to help the Clippers win the game. Harden proved his ability to play tough balls.
The Clippers now generally have the ball in Harden to organize the offense, Harden can help his teammates attract defensive attention, Mavericks players two or three crazy Harden, Paul George and other teammates will get better shots. For example, the Clippers and the Mavericks G4, when Harden continued to hold the ball and break through the single throw to score, the Mavericks hurriedly sacrificed the bag and clamp tactics, Harden pulled the opponent's defense, and Paul George got more open opportunities, George shot 7 of 9 three-pointers, and hit a difficult three-point shot at the last moment to help the team lock up the win.
Harden has played too well in the playoffs this year: averaging 26 points + 4 rebounds + 8 assists + 1 steal + 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 54.1% from the field, 50% from three-point range, and 91.3% from the free throw line. Many fans say that Harden now seems to have regained the dominance of the Rockets period, and he can do everything from breakovers, throws, mid-range shots and three-pointers. Everyone thought that Harden was young and old, and his strength was not good, but he didn't expect that Harden "still had gas in the tank"! Just like LeBron James, the sword is not old, and the older he gets, the more demonic he becomes.
American media ESPN experts wrote an analysis that Harden and George G4 had a total of 36 shots of 24, and scored 66 points efficiently. In the past, during the Rockets period, the most suitable players around Harden were 3D giants, Ariza, Bamot, Tucker and so on. Now, with Harden taking on the role of team boss on the Clippers, George, Powell and Terrence Mann can play more easily and comfortably next to Harden.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said it was no surprise that Harden had been flawless and that he was a superstar. Not surprisingly, the Clippers and Mavericks G5, Kidd will definitely adjust their defensive tactics, focus on locking Harden, and find someone to choke Harden's small throw. Wei Shao has been playing more of a defensive role in this year's playoffs, playing very seriously, focusing on defense, and trying to do his job. Harden's defense in this year's playoffs is also great, and many fans may not know, NBA reporters reported that Harden's true shooting rate in this year's playoffs was 73.1% (the first in the league), and when the Mavericks players faced Harden's defense, the shooting rate was only 41.8%, and the three-point shooting rate was only 23.8%.