Paul George and Kawhi Leonard did their best to hit blow by blow with the Brooklyn Nets’ Big Three.
But during the Nets 124-120’s victory over the visiting LA Clippers in a game that lived up to the hype of the preliminary game, the Clippers star duo Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving couldn’t keep up, especially on the foul line. The Brooklyn star trio went off the line 16-for-16 together.
Leonard went 8-for-9 on the line, but George only went to the line once in 36 minutes.
“I mean, I think it was disrespectful that I had one free throw today,” said George, who had 26 points and six assists. “I’ll leave it at that.”
The Clippers made only 17 trips to the line compared to the Nets’ 26 trips.
George’s only free throw attempt came when he drove and scored against former teammate Landry Shamet under the basket with 6 minutes, 58 seconds left in the game. George almost had to make contact before throwing off the smaller Shamet to get the whistle. His three-point play gave the Clippers a 102-97 lead with 6:58 remaining.
But in a game with five remaining All-Stars on the floor, George felt he was getting no respect from the crew on duty.
“The number of plays I’ve initiated or contacted,” argued George. And to be sent to the line [one] time … “
The Nets recovered from their 149-146 loss against the Washington Wizards by surviving a Clippers team that had won 10 of the previous 11 games. Irving led all scorers with 39 points, Durant had 28 points and nine rebounds, and Harden turned a triple-double of 23 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds.
“As I said last night, I personally just took that not being able to guard anyone,” said Irving of the loss to the Wizards, who got 41 points from Russell Westbrook and 37 from Bradley Beal.
Leonard scored 33 points to go with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.
While George couldn’t get to the line, he and the Clippers discovered in 2½ minutes just how explosive the Nets’ super trio is.
Durant hit a 7-footer. Irving scored eight straight runs. Harden then drilled a step-back 3 to complete a 13-0 blitz.
When asked what the Clippers have learned from defending the Big Three of the Nets that can help them in the long run, Nic Batum replied immediately.
“One thing is certain: we will miss Pat Bev tonight”, Batum said of the injured Patrick Beverley, who is out with a knee injury. “We often forget that guy, I think. It would be huge for us tonight, so Pat Bev, please come back. ‘