SAN ANTONIO — The Los Angeles Clippers had a slim lead in the third quarter when Matt Barnes, responsible for defending Kawhi Leonard for so much of the first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, picked up his fourth foul. Jamal Crawford promptly removed his warm-ups and replaced Barnes.
The first time Leonard touched the ball, he backed down Crawford down, drew a double team and found Tim Duncan for a layup. On the Spurs’ next possession, Leonard sank a jumper.
If ever there was a moment when it would have completely made sense for the Clippers to fold like a pup tent, here it was: Game 4 at AT&T Center, with the pressure mounting and one of their top defenders watching from the bench as his team fought to even a physical series without him.