The Los Angeles Clippers needed to answer after an embarrassing loss in Game 3, and they did just that with a 114-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 on Sunday. The series is now tied, 2-2, as the teams head back to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Tuesday.
2015 NBA playoff scores: Clippers come through in must-win game and 3 other things we learned
Clippers-Spurs is all tied up, the Wizards and Cavaliers are heading to the second round, and the rest of the action from Sunday in the NBA playoffs.
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin were at their best in the win, going blow-to-blow against the defending champs just two days after being totally dismantled by them. Paul finished with 34 points on 11-of-19 shooting and seven assists. Griffin added 20 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists to come near a 20-20-10 game.
Compared to Game 3, when the Spurs steamrolled to a 100-73 beatdown, this was a stark contrast. Paul was hitting shots all over the court and dictating the pace with expert awareness, and Griffin used his otherworldly gifts to overwhelm guys like we had seen in the first game of the series. CP3 was feeling it:
The game was close throughout the first three quarters, but Los Angeles finally started to pull away late. A 12-4 run to begin the fourth quarter gave the Clips a 93-80 lead, and while San Antonio would respond with an 8-0 run, that’s as close as the Spurs would get. By the 3:29 mark in the game, L.A. was back up by 14.
Even the bench guys played well for Los Angeles, with Austin Rivers going for 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting and Jamal Crawford for 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting. These were the Clippers at their best, with their stars commanding the offense and the role players taking advantage of the open shots resulting from that.
It was just what Los Angeles needed to get back into the series after losing two straight games, and that it happened on the road makes it that much sweeter. The Clippers were always going to need to win at least one game at AT&T Center to advance after losing Game 2 at home, and now they got that out of the way while getting the series squared back up with three to go. Now the Clippers’ homecourt advantage takes on an even greater premium, as a possible Game 7 would also be at Staples Center.
Considering how this series has gone so far, it wouldn’t be surprising if it comes to that.
3 other things we learned
The Cavs were too talented for Boston, but might miss Love
You can't fault the Celtics for a lack of effort. Boston went after the Cavaliers in all four games of the first-round series, and each time Cleveland showed why it is considered a serious contender in the East. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are just a cut above anything the Celtics could throw out, and in the playoffs, that tends to be the biggest factor. Now the primary concern for Cleveland is the health of Kevin Love, who suffered a shoulder injury in the 101-93 Game 4 victory. If Love is out, it doesn't necessarily ruin the Cavaliers' chances, but it knocks a blow into that talent advantage the team has built up.
The Wizards ease into second round
The hardest part of evaluating the Wizards' run to the second round is figuring how much of it resulted from the Raptors falling apart. Toronto struggled throughout the series, and with its back against the wall in Game 4, the team completely collapsed. Washington had little trouble finishing off the sweep with a 125-94 win, and for the moment, the Wizards look pretty darn good. John Wall is an NBA All-Star point guard, Marcin Gortat is on his game and Bradley Beal can fire off threes like few others. Toss in the veteran presence of Paul Pierce, and it seems like this year's Wizards could be ready to make a run. The Raptors didn't put up much of a fight, however, so it's hard to really get excited yet until Washington is facing some more prepared competition.
The Mavericks are still alive
Dallas lives to fight another day after topping Houston 121-109 in Game 4 on Sunday night. The bad news is that the Mavericks still trail in the series, 3-1, and no team in NBA history has ever rallied from a 3-0 series deficit in the playoffs. Dallas has looked much better during the past two games at home -- both without Rajon Rondo -- but winning four straight games against the Rockets, including a pair in Houston, seems almost impossible. The Mavericks will give it their best shot, though, after avoiding a sweep to set up Game 5 on Tuesday. Considering two other teams were eliminated Sunday, at least Dallas still gets to hope.
Play of the Night
Dwight Howard getting up like this is very good news for the Rockets, and very bad news for everyone else.
7 fun things
The Mavericks were in no mood for broom-related jokes before Sunday night’s game.
Of course Wale trash talked Drake after the Wizards’ sweep of the Raptors.
Let's all hope Raymond Felton recovers from a very serious "food" injury.
When your team completes a sweep, you gotta dance.
A rare sighting of the old “off-the-back” play.
Rick Carlisle taped his mouth shut to avoid any more fines.
Final scores
Cavaliers 101, Celtics 93 (Fear The Sword recap | CelticsBlog recap | SB Nation recap)
Clippers 114, Spurs 105 (Clips Nation recap | Pounding The Rock recap | SB Nation recap)
Wizards 125, Raptors 94 (Bullets Forever recap | Raptors HQ recap | SB Nation recap)
Mavericks 121, Rockets 109 (Mavs Moneyball recap | The Dream Shake recap | SB Nation recap)
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