Thread by @stevejones20

You know what, let's watch some Jazz/Clippers Game 3.

For the Clippers to go back small and Utah to start out on an 8-0 run. Man.

Clippers small lineup in theory is supposed to switch, keep the ball in front, stay out of rotation. The switch is here but now George shows help on Mitchell's drive it's a kick to Ingles for 3.

Clippers haven't consistently gotten the results but being able to force Gobert to operate in space is interesting to me. I think it matters. It might not.

What's interesting is the Clippers have mixed their coverages even when small. Whole goal is to keep Utah out of rhythm and automatic reads.

Look at the defense from the Clippers. Double drag, Clippers actually switch Jackson on the first screen and trap the second. Batum pulls over, Clippers defense recovers. Rhythm isn't there, Jazz get late in the clock, Mitchell gets to his pullup but a different kind.

Clippers defense very physical, very active, Utah's flow isn't there early. Throwing doubles, throwing traps, throwing shows out there.

This is the flip side of what the Clippers are trying to do. Containing Mitchell but you can't forget it's *automatic* for the Utah Jazz once you show help and have to rotate. Switch Jackson on to Mitchell, Kawhi traps. Problem is Batum has to hold, Beverley has 2, skip for 3.

I do think the random doubles from the Clippers at Mitchell have been more effective than trapping in pick and roll.

You see with Zubac in slight adjustment to have him closer to the level. Utah's counter is the pull-up and you know Jordan Clarkson isn't shy.

Who knows what I could do if I had 1/8th of the confidence that Marcus Morris Sr has in the jab and J.

Clear the Clippers are trying to throw a lot at Donovan Mitchell to keep him out of rhythm early. Not afraid to sacrifice scheme/shots to limit him. Watch as Mitchell comes off this screen, Zubac is droping back and Kawhi is planted right at the nail. Kick to O'Neale for 3.

Ingles comes off this screen, Zubac is dropped back, Ingles goes right into a pull-up 3. Jazz will not hesitate to let that go and it's mainly to try and get you out of drop and make you pay for trying it.

Clippers being willing to sacrifice certain looks to try and contain Donovan Mitchell is interesting to me.

Clippers need Batum to stay this aggressive.

Clippers switch Zubac on to Ingles as he comes off this screen. Trying to blend that in and stay in front while big. Issue is Batum comes to double and again once there is help/rotation, Utah is off to the races. Pass to Clarkson, drives the closeout, forces help, kick for 3.

Jazz can't afford to give Paul George these kind of looks. Comes right off the screen, Gobert in a drop, George goes right to his pull-up. Very interested to see if the Clippers get to more of those with a lead.

Clippers dribble penetration has been key over the past couple games. You see how the spacing has the Jazz defense stretched, Favors isn't really matched up with anyone. PG drives, Favors holds and helps, skip to Jackson for 3.

*whispers* I told y'all stop disrespecting Reggie Jackson in the playoffs.

Donovan Mitchell with some timely baskets for Utah. Forget the traps I'll just create my own off the dribble or off cuts.

Feels like the first game the Clippers have been able to tap in to the pull-up game vs. Gobert in a drop. Kawhi comes right off, sees the space, finds his spot and rises. These become different when the Clippers are winning and the game plays on. Something to watch.

I guess Paul George has had enough.

You can see the Clippers gameplan vs. Donovan Mitchell here. Switch all the pick and rolls and now Kawhi hits him with a trap. No rhythm, not the same automatic reads. Utah is going to have to make the adjustment.

Have to give the Clippers credit and understanding they can't win if Donovan Mitchell is losing his mind and trying to disrupt without handing Utah everything they want. Taking some of the successes of the small lineup and adding to it.

Clippers show the same defense again. Switch Jackson on to Mitchell and then Kawhi comes with a trap. Mitchell didn't care and gets to his stepback. Again though, not the same reads, not the same looks.

Utah in this series:

Game 1: 37 made field goals, 18 assists
Game 2: 42 made field goals, 15 assists
Game 3 (1st Half): 18 made field goals, 6 assists.

Utah has to find a way to get back to their style of play and create/generate open looks for each other.

The Clippers have found a way to try and disrupt and double Donovan Mitchell without handing the Jazz the automatic reads and rotations they are used to attacking. Very interesting to see how Utah adjusts in the second half. Quick decisions/dribble penetration key.

For the Clippers, you're up 15 with Kawhi shooting 4-for-12. PG and Reggie have been great, Batum has been key. Defense has been much more physical, active, disruptive. Going to have to sustain in the second half.

Utah's usually found a counter to coverages thrown at them so I'm very interested to see what they throw out there. This would be a great night to have Mike Conley out there but you don't need me to tell you that.

My concern with Utah is never about the misses it's about the quality of looks they can generate. Still got some good opportunities but the flow was different. Ball has to move, drive and kick has to be there, have to up the tempo.

No make but this is the kind of ball movement the Clippers can get to with that small lineup. Batum screens for PG, two on the ball and the Clippers were off to the races.

You see the importance of the Clippers dribble penetration, you also see the concern with Gobert out there against the small lineup. His instinct is to protect the paint on the drive. Kawhi sees the help and kicks to Batum for 3.

Is it just me or did the league just end continuation this year.

Kawhi at the elbow has been good for the Clippers this series. Here Jackson screens for him with Mitchell guarding him. Mitchell shows but Kawhi is in a big time scoring area. O'Neale looking to recover, Kawhi goes right to his pull-up.

Clippers put Mitchell back in P&R again here vs. Kawhi. Mitchell shows but his show is flat. Doesn't disrupt or hold Kawhi's drive. Kawhi turns the corner and Gobert has a decision to make. At the nail, in position but he's got Batum. Doesn't commit, Kawhi gets a dunk.

Last thing you want to see if you're the Clippers.

Paul George's drives have been key for the Clippers all series long. Comes off the screen, gets by Favors and is able to finish. Clippers need those paint touches and those easy ones to mix in.

Utah puts Jackson in P&R, Clippers give the switch but PG comes right away to double. This is the ball movement and attack Utah has to get to out of those. Ball swings, Clippers rotate, Clarkson drives and forces more help. Now Utah is off to the races. Big rebound by O'Neale.

I'm giving it to Zubac. He keeps working. Luka and Donovan Mitchell haven't been kind to him but he's working through it.

Mitchell in P&R, Zubac is in a drop but see he's above the 3PT line. Drops back, contains the drive, gets a block. You can see he was hyped too.

Utah can't let the offense bleed to the defensive end. Paul George comes off the screen, Gobert starts at the level and drops back but look at the weakside. Bogie not leaving Kawhi, Clarkson sticking with PatBev. That's a big lane for Zubac to roll into.

I'll be honest, weird game analysis wise. Clippers have done some positive things defensively. More locked in. Offensively...making a whole lot of shots. Add PG having it going and Kawhi getting it going in the second half and yeah.

Utah's shooting the ball well and still generating some quality looks but just haven't had the same pace/tempo as far as attacking the Clippers. Feels bogged down. Lack of assists keeps standing out to me.

Ty Lue going with the same mindset as the Dallas series. Do whatever you can to get this one.

Good defense from the Clippers here. Utah tries to attack Kennard, Clippers give the switch but again it's an automatic double. Batum rotates on the kick but watch Reggie Jackson sniff this out. Sees Gobert rolling, sees Niang hitting him, gets the deflection.

Donovan Mitchell's ankle is like a cloud lingering over this series.

Kawhi's improved playmaking showing here but again the Clippers able to stretch the Jazz bigs. Kawhi looking to attack O'Neale, Favors is giving nail help (not a natural spot for bigs). Skip to Batum for 3.

The one thing I'll say about the Clippers small lineup, Jazz have to figure it out or live with it because...they don't *really* have one they can counter with.

I want to know what kind of bucket doesn't get Steve Ballmer hyped. Like what shot is out there that he can't stand and won't clap for.

As the benches clear, Jazz with 33 made field goals, 14 assists. Have to get that movement going.

Clippers needed that one. Ty Lue pressed the right buttons. Went small but went small to try and disrupt. Good activity, good execution on the doubles vs. Mitchell random and after switches. They have a path, now have to sustain.