National Basketball Association

Can the Clippers make it three in a row after going down 0-2 yet again?

Updated Jun. 25, 2021 6:41 p.m. ET

The LA Clippers have already made history this NBA postseason.

In the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Clippers became the first team to win a series after being down 0-2 twice in one postseason, doing so in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks and the second against the Utah Jazz.

What happened in the conference finals, you asked? Well, LA promptly fell behind two games to the Phoenix Suns, naturally.

Many around the NBA world have been waiting for the right moment to count the Clippers out, but given the resilience the team has already shown, the question now becomes: Can LA do it again?

On Thursday in Game 3, the Clippers rallied for a 106-92 win over the Suns. Chris Paul was back, and Kawhi Leonard was not, but even so, the Clippers showed their mettle.

Reggie Jackson had eight points in the first quarter, Paul George had 13 in the first half, and Terance Mann burst out for 10 in the third quarter. By the start of the fourth, the Clippers led 80-69, and they held on from there.

George, much maligned as "Pandemic P" after his struggles in last year's NBA bubble, led his team on Thursday with 27 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.

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What to make of this team and its chances to advance yet again?

On Friday's "Undisputed," Skip Bayless said he has learned his lesson about these Clippers and won't doubt them again, mainly because he believes LA is in control of the series, even though it trails.

"I like the Clippers even more [Saturday] night than I liked them [Thursday] night. … The Clippers imposed their will on the Suns. The Clippers seized psychological control of the series. The Clippers should have won Game 2."

For what it's worth, the Clippers were well within reach of winning both Games 1 and 2. LA and Phoenix were tied going into the fourth quarter in Game 1, and with 22 seconds left, the Clippers trailed by two before the Suns closed it out to win 120-114.

Then, in that crazy Game 2, the Clippers trailed by four heading into the fourth and led 103-102 with 22.2 seconds to go, before that whole Paul-George-missed-free-throws-DeAndre-Ayton-game-winner situation went down.

Bayless and cohost Shannon Sharpe agreed that what made the difference for LA in Game 3 was the defense, particularly from Patrick Beverley, as the Clippers shut down the Suns' stars to inject themselves back into the series, specifically Devin Booker, who scored 40 points in Game 1 but has only scored a combined 35 over the past two games.

Said Sharpe: "Ty Lue said, ‘You know what – enough of this. Pat Bev, you got [Devin Booker].’"

Over on "First Things First," Kevin Wildes gave credit to George for leading his team yet again and putting the Suns on notice that the series is far from over despite their 2-0 lead.

"Here's the thing about Kawhi not playing – I think in a way, that unlocks Paul George a little bit. Paul George has had some bad shooting nights, but he can't go anywhere else. There's no one else to really defer to."

Brandon Marshall agreed … kind of.

He contended that while PG has put up a great effort, with Leonard still injured for the Clippers, the Suns are ultimately the better team.

Can Paul George & Co. prove the naysayers wrong yet again? It seems they're on the right track.

You know what they say: When a team shows you who it is, believe 'em.

In other words, everything looks to be on schedule for the Clippers.

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