Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs: Postgame Grades and Analysis
The San Antonio Spurs obliterated the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 3 of their first-round series, 100-73, Friday at the AT&T Center. The Spurs now lead the series 2-1.
Kawhi Leonard led the charge for San Antonio, scoring a career-high 32 points on 13-of-18 shooting, grabbing three steals and blocking two shots. He was the best player on the floor from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
His defensive effort anchored a unit that held the Clippers to 34.1 percent shooting and forced 14 turnovers, including six from Chris Paul.
L.A. was led by Blake Griffin, who scored a team-high 14 points.
San Antonio Spurs
Kawhi Leonard: A+
This was an MVP-caliber performance on both ends of the floor. And this San Antonio crowd, which has seen a few MVP seasons, recognized it.
Leonard was unstoppable in the low- to mid-post, hitting turnaround jumpers and push shots over any defender he faced. He also finished plenty of looks at the rim, where his craftiness gave him time and space to score over DeAndre Jordan and his athleticism helped him finish over anyone else.
Defensively, it doesn't matter who Leonard's assigned to; that player's going to struggle. From Griffin to Chris Paul to J.J. Redick, Leonard showed the length, quickness and strength to handle anyone.
Tim Duncan: B
After going off for 28 points and 11 rebounds in Game 2, Tim Duncan graciously ceded Game 3 to Leonard. Duncan took only six shots, made two and scored four points.
That doesn't mean he was non-existent, though. In his 31 minutes, Duncan still provided plenty of defense and rebounding. He controlled the paint for the Spurs, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking three shots.
Tony Parker's playoff struggles continued, as he went just 3-of-11 from the field on the way to six points. Once again, most of his jump shots were short and his drives stalled when he was unable to blow by his man or elevate in crowds.
He was solid defensively, though, spending more time on Paul than he did in Game 2. And that's really all San Antonio needed from him Friday.
Danny Green: B+
Danny Green, who's about as close to the quintessential 3-and-D guy as you can get, played his role perfectly.
He went 3-of-6 from three-point range, scored 11 points and swiped three steals.
Manu Ginobili: B+
He may have only scored two points on 1-of-2 shooting, but Manu Ginobili had an excellent game, often running the offense in Parker's stead.
He finished with a game-high six assists, finding his teammates out of both pick-and-rolls and when the ball was swinging side to side.
He also grabbed six and even blocked two shots, showing that he still has a little mobility on the defensive side of the ball.
Rest of Team: B+
In addition to Ginobili's contributions off the bench, Boris Diaw and Marco Belinelli were able to provide some punch as well.
Diaw played the point forward role well, scoring from all over the floor and setting up teammates on the occasions he didn't. He went for 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting and dished out three assists.
Bellnelli had nine points on 4-of-5 shooting and Patty Mills knocked down a pair of threes to score six points.
Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul: C-
Whether defended by Leonard, Parker or Green, Paul had a hard time creating the same amount of space he did in Games 1 and 2.
And when things started to go south for the Clippers, Paul got frustrated, upping his flop-and-complain game to higher levels. Generally, he seems to play better when he's angry, but he just unraveled in Game 3.
He finished with seven points on 3-of-11 shooting to go with four assists and two steals.
Blake Griffin: B+
Blake Griffin managed to have a fairly solid performance among a dearth of production around him.
He had 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting, scoring on a few nice post moves but struggling to connect on his jump shot.
He also grabbed 10 boards and dished out five assists.
DeAndre Jordan: B-
Jordan's impact was pretty well neutralized by the Spurs' attack. On several possessions, they'd get to the last level of L.A.'s defense, only to kick out to an open shooter. Jordan was left battling underneath for rebounds instead of making much impact defensively.
He finished the game with 10 points and eight rebounds, and wouldn't ya know it, no free-throw attempts.
J.J. Redick: D-
Redick spent a lot of the game being defended by Leonard, so his 2-of-7 shooting line shouldn't be all that surprising.
In combination with Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford, the Clippers got 17 points on 5-of-23 shooting from the wings.
Rest of Team: C-
Crawford individually went a crippling 1-of-11 from the field. It didn't matter that he wasn't hitting; "shooter's gotta shoot," right?
Austin Rivers did his best to pick up the slack for the second unit, scoring 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting.
Coming Up Next
The series continues in San Antonio on Sunday, April 26, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
With the Spurs up 2-1, the Clippers will hope to steal one on the Spurs' home court before the series shifts back to L.A.
Andy Bailey covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him @AndrewDBailey.
