Do the Kawhi Leonard & Paul George Clippers have a future? The question arises sharply after the new defeat of the Angels in their second match of the first round of the play-offs (121-127). It concerns as much the immediate present, with two matches to play in Dallas on Friday and Sunday (at 3:30 a.m. each time), as next season, knowing that Kawhi Leonard has a clause (player option) to leave without compensation at the end of this season.
Leonard struggled Tuesday night, scoring 41 points, two more than Luka Doncic in a high-flying duel. But that was not enough, the fault of a too permissive defense. The Mavericks enjoyed themselves in attack (58% success including 53% at 3 points), passing through profit and loss their own awkwardness at free throws (54%). The Texans took control in the heart of the third period with an 8-0 (78-85, 30th) thanks to a good Tim Hardaway Jr (28 points) and never let go.
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Nicolas Batum scored 9 points (3/5, plus 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 interception) in 19 minutes off the bench for the Clippers.
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