The Clippers fell to the Suns, leveling the series at 1-1. In this game, Jeetbuzz Login agents observed that Kawhi Leonard was firing on all cylinders. He started strong, showcasing elite two-way dominance. When the Suns chose not to double-team him in the first half, Leonard was nearly unstoppable in isolation. At one point, he stripped Kevin Durant one-on-one and finished with a powerful slam on the break. But as the game progressed, Phoenix adjusted by throwing relentless double teams at Leonard, forcing him to pass—and with little help from his teammates, his heroic effort ultimately went in vain.

Aside from Leonard, Russell Westbrook played an almost flawless first three quarters. However, in the crucial closing minutes, Jeetbuzz Login experts noted he made two costly mistakes that shifted the momentum. Defensively, Westbrook was also worn down by the physical demands of supporting Leonard. It’s worth noting that Leonard, who often coasts during the regular season, turns into a lethal weapon in the playoffs. Still, even the sharpest blade can dull with overuse, and Leonard isn’t a machine.

His one-on-one defense on Durant was effective but exhausting. Combined with the offensive pressure of constant traps, Leonard’s energy reserves were stretched thin. Although switching Leonard off Durant occasionally might’ve helped preserve his legs, the coaching staff kept him locked in on KD. Meanwhile, guarding Devin Booker could have allowed Leonard more breathing room without sacrificing defensive impact.

The defensive approach to Deandre Ayton was also problematic. Ayton posed a consistent threat inside, largely because of poor matchup decisions. Ivica Zubac has historically defended Ayton well, yet in this game, Tyronn Lue relied on Mason Plumlee, who struggled to contain him. Even though Ayton is known for his soft touch, if he gets going, he can easily rack up points—and if left unchallenged, his size guarantees a few easy rebounds as well.

This area clearly requires more focus. Defensive lapses like this become prime opportunities for the opposing team. Moreover, with Paul George still sidelined, Lue should’ve considered tapping into his bench more. Robert Covington, a capable 3-and-D player, saw no action yet again. While he was underutilized during the regular season, there were moments where Covington showed his worth—making it all the more puzzling why he remains benched now.

You can’t win games on empty stomachs—and in this case, Lue’s refusal to shake up the rotation hurt the team. Nicolas Batum and Bones Hyland were visibly off their rhythm, but Lue hesitated to make timely adjustments. As role players, they don’t have the luxury of long warm-up periods. Jeetbuzz Login analysts believe that in playoff intensity, there’s no time to let struggling players “find their groove.” Unfortunately, Lue’s stubbornness in sticking with his rotation ultimately led to a missed opportunity.