PHOENIX — Three thoughts on the Clippers’ series-saving 116–102 Game 5 win in the Western Conference finals …
What an effort by the Clippers
The Clippers, already down Serge Ibaka and Kawhi Leonard, learned early Monday that Ivica Zubac, LA’s starting center, would miss Game 5 with a knee injury. “Next man up,” Ty Lue said before the game, and he meant it. The Clippers, pivoting back to the small lineup that was successful in the first two rounds of the playoffs, built an early 18–5 lead, took a seven-point advantage into halftime, held a 13-point lead going into the fourth quarter and finished with a 14-point victory.