Boston finished with three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 FT) and one rebound in three minutes during Friday's 101-90 loss to the Mavericks in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Boston played three minutes in garbage time, something the Clippers will be hoping doesn't repeat itself. Although the final score was relatively close, the Mavericks took control early in this one and now hold a 2-1 series lead over a Clippers team in need of a spark.
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Clippers' Paul George: Woeful in Game 3 loss
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George racked up seven points (3-11 FG, 1-6 3Pt), five rebounds and five assists across 30 minutes during Friday's 101-90 loss to the Mavericks in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
George was non-existent in the loss, putting up his worst performance in quite some time. The Clippers managed to hang around but were never really in the contest. George is going to have to be much better when the two teams line up again Sunday if the Clippers hope to return home with the series tied up.
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Clippers' Ivica Zubac: Flirts with double-double
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Zubac chipped in 19 points (8-11 FG, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 32 minutes during Friday's 101-90 loss to the Mavericks in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Zubac turned in a strong effort Friday, flirting with a double-double. He added a pair of defensive stats for good measure, delivering his best performance of the postseason. Now trailing 1-2 in the series, the Clippers are going to need Zubac to be more consistent moving forward, something he has struggled with this season.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Ejected in fourth quarter
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Westbrook was ejected from Saturday's 101-90 Game 3 loss to the Mavericks with 6:10 to play in the fourth quarter. He finished with one point (0-7 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks in 19 minutes.
Westbrook let his frustrations get the best of him in this one. He was already carrying a technical foul when he proceeded to shove both Luka Doncic and P.J. Washington on the same play. Despite his outburst, a suspension is unlikely.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Good to go for Game 3
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Leonard (knee) is available for Friday's Game 3 against the Mavericks, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
After missing Sunday's Game 1 win due to knee inflammation, Leonard returned for Game 2 on Tuesday and put up 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block in 35 minutes during a 96-93 loss, marking his first appearance since March 31. With the series tied at 1-1, Leonard's health and impact will be key to the Clippers' success. Despite suiting up for back-to-back games, the questionable tag may stick with Leonard for the rest of the postseason.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Present at shootaround
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Leonard (knee), who is questionable for Friday's Game 3 against the Mavericks, was present for the Clippers' morning shootaround, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Leonard returned from a nine-game absence during Tuesday's matchup against Dallas and continues to deal with knee inflammation ahead of Friday's game. However, his presence at shootaround is encouraging, and he appears to be trending in the right direction in the hours leading up to tipoff.
Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Questionable to play Friday
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Leonard is questionable for Game 3 against the Mavericks on Friday due to right knee inflammation, Mike Curtis of The Detroit News reports.
Leonard posted 15 points and seven rebounds in his return to action in Game 2. While he's included on the injury report ahead of Friday's contest, he did log 35 minutes in Game 2, so he should be in line to handle his regular workload in a pivotal matchup at home.
Clippers' Norman Powell: Struggles from field in loss
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Powell accumulated six points (2-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt), four rebounds and one steal over 26 minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 loss to the Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Powell landed two three-pointers in the loss but failed to connect on any other baskets. He remains an offensive sparkplug off the bench, but on nights like this, his lack of peripheral stats is on display for all to see. If the Clippers are to wrestle back home-court advantage, they need Powell to be a more reliable offensive threat.
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Clippers' Terance Mann: Struggles continue in loss
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Mann racked up five points (2-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist over 21 minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 loss to the Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Mann offered very little outside of a highlight putback dunk, bumbling his way to five points as the Clippers gave up home-court advantage to the Mavericks. Although he continues to serve as a starting piece, the return of Kawhi Leonard from a knee injury means Mann could now be viewed as the fifth option on offense.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Strong two-way effort in return
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Leonard totaled 15 points (7-17 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and four steals in 35 minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 loss to Dallas in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Leonard returned to action Tuesday after missing nine straight games due to a knee injury. Although he was somewhat tentative to begin the game, he led the team in shot attempts and added five defensive stats. Barring any setbacks, Leonard should be good to go for Game 3 in Dallas on Friday.
Coffey will move to the bench for Tuesday's Game 2 versus Dallas, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.
This is an expected move for the Clippers, as Kawhi Leonard has the green light to return from his knee issue. Coffey was held in check in Game 1 on Sunday, scoring six points with three rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Good to go for Game 2
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Leonard (knee) will be available to play in Tuesday's Game 2 against the Mavericks, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Leonard participated in the team's morning shootaround and went through his usual warmup Tuesday, and the Clippers had been very optimistic about his return prior to getting the official green light. The Clippers haven't been very transparent with this injury, and it's unclear whether Leonard will face restrictions Tuesday evening.
