Experience is Key in Winner-Take-All Games With Everything on the Line

The 2021 NBA Playoffs finally had its first Game 7, and it was the most experienced team who prevailed. The LA Clippers defended their home court (the only time either team did so all series), winning by 15 after pulling away in the second half. Luka Doncic had another great game with 46 points, but most of those came in the first quarter (29). He cooled off in the second half, which proved to be costly, and showed a lack of experience. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Marcus Morris all had over 20 points in what was far from their first winner-take-all game.

INTERESTING FACTS

Of the Mavs starters in Game 7, only Tim Hardaway Jr. had won a playoff series, but didn’t start in any of those GP
Clippers’ starters in Game 7 have played in a combined 10 conference finals series
Kawhi Leonard has more rings (2) than all 5 Mavs starters have 2nd round playoff series made (1)
Marcus Morris is now tied with Stephen Curry for most 3PM in a Game 7 (7)

Odds vs. DAL: LAC -260 (Spread -6.5)
LAC Stock Price: $10.44 (via FANDEX)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

EXPERIENCE IS KEY IN WINNER-TAKE-ALL GAMES WITH EVERYTHING ON THE LINE

COLORS KEY | FULL CLIPPERS OUTLOOK

In a win-or-go-home playoff game, teams want to have experience on their side, and it was something Dallas lacked that LA had plenty of. Of the Mavericks starters in Game 7, only Tim Hardaway Jr. had won a playoff series, but did not start a single game in the one series he won. The Clippers have an NBA champion in Kawhi Leonard, and he stepped up in both elimination games, displaying his wealth of experience in those moments which helped him deliver when it mattered most, as he’s been there before.

George has been to two Eastern conference finals, Morris has been to one, and Nicolas Batum had started 32 postseason games before Sunday’s outing. When it was all on the line, the inexperienced Doncic was not as clutch as he needed to be, and the Clippers came through down the stretch. Luka had an incredible postseason and posted historic numbers but during winning time, he struggled which is something he’ll improve on as he continues to gain experience in these kind of games.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Kawhi came up big once again

Kawhi drops the hammer 🔨 pic.twitter.com/oCxREgofHW
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 6, 2021

Kawhi's all-around GAME 7 sends the @LAClippers to the West Semis! #NBAPlayoffs #ThatsGame

28 PTS
10 REB
9 AST
4 STL
10-15 FGM

LAC/UTA Game 1 ⤵️
Tuesday, 10:00pm/et, TNT pic.twitter.com/Po04YYtdTl
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2021

Morris stepped up from 3 in Game 7

Marcus Morris hits a dagger from deep! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/QFecyikpW6
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 6, 2021

🔥 7 3s in GAME 7 for @MookMorris2 🔥
He ties Steph Curry’s Game 7 record for made threes as the @LAClippers advance to the Western Conference Semifinals! They’ll face Utah on Tuesday. #ThatsGame #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/vxwHknrVuk
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2021