Orlando (United States) (AFP)
Several times abused, the Clippers finally had the last word against Denver, to lead 2-1 in their conference semi-final, Boston having regained the advantage with authority in his against Toronto (3-2) on Monday.
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LA with an accordion tune
Three times in this N.3 game, the Nuggets thought they had achieved a significant gap and discouraged the Clippers.
But the latter, without ever panicking, each time resurfaced, erasing ten points behind in the 2nd and 3rd quarter and even 7 at the start of the last, before accelerating in turn to win (113 -107).
Paul George's 32 points (5/7 behind the arc) were decisive, but the one who held the White House was the "Terminator" Kawhi Leonard, author of 23 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks including an exceptional, less than two minutes from time, his steel fingertips having prevented Jamal Murray from pulling a dunk that brought the Denver back to four lengths.
"This incredible gesture ... I do not know where he got it from," said Doc Rivers afterwards, hailing more generally "the last six minutes of defense" of his team.
"Defense, that's what we have to hang on to. We made the difference in this sector at the end of the match. It's going to be a battle, because in front there is a great offensive team. We are ready to recover. the challenge, "said George, who for his part caused several offensive faults on the opposing side.
In the face, nobody was unworthy and despite the frustration of the result, few regrets are to be fed, if not that of having lacked a second wind in the money-time.
Because for three quarters and a half, the intensity and the quality of the attacking game deployed were impressive, in the wake of Nikola Djokic, formidable creator and finisher (32 pts, 12 rebounds), author of magic gestures to the pass (8 decisive), worthy of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
The 4th duel of this exciting series will take place on Wednesday.
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Boston while percussion
More aggressive, more skillful, more consistent in their game, the Celtics have stifled (111-89) the Raptors who have never entered the match, and come out under the threat of elimination.
Is a victory by 22 points more valuable than another by 1 alone?
Certainly not.
But it's been twice in this series that Boston has recited his basketball without Toronto finding anything to complain about, like an admission of helplessness.
However, it was believed that the tide had turned somewhat after the equalizer of Toronto at 2-2, driven by the energy of the one who fiercely defends his title.
In view of this N.5 match with the final verdict, it turns out that it really blows in the direction of Boston.
Collectively, he wreaked havoc, causing the Raptors to lose the north who know how to defend hard.
If Jaylen Brown (27 pts) symbolized the omnipotence of the C's with a magnificent dunk on the red defense in the first period, it is indeed the five major which is to be put forward, with 97 points to his credit (50% of success).
"We knew how to play hard, we had not done enough in the last two matches. That's what we have to do. It allowed us to execute our game plan and above all we knew how to play all together Brown summed up after the fact.
Proof that the discreet coach Brad Stevens has made the right adjustments necessary to revive his team, while also asking him to lock his defense.
What answer will Nick Nurse be able to oppose?
Even if bankruptcy was almost on every floor, especially inside and at the address (38%), you should not sell the skin of the Raptors before having killed them.
Their season, promised a return to anonymity without Kawhi Leonard, a key element of last year's coronation party to the Clippers, has been excellent so far.
It is up to them to ensure that it does not stop on Wednesday after the N.6 match.
© 2020 AFP