Welp, Back To LA To Make History At Home

It's tough to get to upset about last night. Especially on the heels of how consistently great this Clippers team has been this postseason. You are not always going to put you best foot forward. Sometimes you throw out a stinker, even if it is the playoffs. By my count, the last time the Clippers failed to show up was Game 3 against the Spurs. I'll take those odds heading back to Los Angeles for Game 6 any day.  If they were going to lose one in convincing fashion, all things considered, you would want it to be on the Rockets home floor while you had a 3-1 lead. 

Some will point to the Clippers inability to close out teams early in recent years, but I really think you have to separate this year's team from the past. This team is more mentally stout then I can remember. You don't avoid elimination in San Antonio and beat them in a game 7 without being a team that can overcome extenuating circumstances. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to your opponent. After all, they are paid millions to play basketball as well. Despite the lopsided outcomes of game 3 and 4, they still have pride to defend. I don't think there was anything about last night's game that would give you cause for concern going forward. I still don't see anyway Houston takes game 6 if we are being perfectly honest. Not in that environment, not with a place in the Clippers history books on the line. 

As long DeAndre Jordan stays out of foul trouble I can't imagine he isn't swatting those pesky Rockets back to Houston with their head in  their hands and their dicks between their legs. That's really the only thing the Clippers need to avoid. Despite the atrocity that is 'Hack-A-DJ' the Clippers +/- while he is on the floor is astronomical high, while they are in the minus when he is not. That stat in itself might be the biggest eye opener so far this postseason, even more so than Austin Rivers 3 point percentage. You can't quantify DJ's defensive presence on the floor, but I would think it's safe to say that +/- is no coincidence. Keep DJ out of foul trouble and let's get to celebrating on Thursday night, you deserve it Clipper nation.