Clippers power forward Blake Griffin tries to invoke a boisterous response from fans during the team’s loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at Staples Center on Saturday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times / April 19, 2014) |
As the Clippers prepared for their must-win game Monday night against the Golden State Warriors the palpable excitement of the crowd at Staples Center before Game 1 was gone. Instead, it had all the feel of a November game against Utah.
Was it because of a late arriving crowd stuck on Olympic Boulevard? Or was it the stinging reminder of a Saturday afternoon and a game the team could have won?
The Warriors lead the best-of-seven first-round NBA playoff series, 1-0. If the Clippers lose on Monday, they will find themselves in a hole that they likely won’t emerge. Games 3 and 4 are on the Warriors’ home court.
What has to go right for the Clippers?
— Blake Griffin has to stay out of foul trouble. On Saturday, foul trouble kept him out of the game almost all of the first half and half of the fourth period.
— The Clippers have to do a better job at the free-throw line. In Game 1 they made only 23 of 35.
— Jamal Crawford has to regain some regular-season form and make some shots. He was 2 for 12 in Game 1.
— And, Chris Paul has to have a better-than-average game. Even though he was the game’s leading scorer with 28 points, he wasn’t as sharp and clutch as people are used to seeing him.
— Hope that Golden State, having already taken a game on the road, will be on cruise control in low gear having come away from Staples Center with one win and taken back the homecourt advantage.
These questions should be answered by around 10:30 Tuesday night.
