Clippers' Norman Powell discusses injured Paul George, Suns before Game 2 of series
The Los Angeles Clippers' sixth man and shooting guard Norman Powell spoke during media availability at the team's shootaround before Game 2 against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
Powell is the Clippers' third-best scorer this season behind their All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and the injured Paul George, who's sidelined for Game 2 with a right knee sprain. George has been out from the injury he suffered in the Clippers' loss to Oklahoma City Thunder on March 21, so Powell has stepped up to help Leonard with the scoring load since then.
Powell had 14 points on 50% shooting in the Clippers' Game 1 victory, and he discussed what he and his teammates anticipate for adjustments to be made by the Suns in Game 2:
How Clippers plan to counterattack Suns' physicality, defense in Game 2:
"Just being solid, not getting sped up, not letting their physicality or their pressure take us out of what we want to do. They're a veteran team that knows how to work the game, knows the angles, knows what the refs are looking for, especially CP (Chris Paul). He's really good with his hands. (Torrey) Craig being physical with Kawhi, or Okogie on me blocking my lines. So just holding space and not letting them ride you off of where you're trying to get to. They're a good team at that and they like to play the passing lanes, so just being careful making mature passes and plays."
Powell's personal area of focus in Suns-Clippers series:
"Defensively being really physical, being really locked in, really engaged from start to finish. Offensively, whatever happens, happens. As long as you're taking good shots, making good plays, being aggressive and assertive and decisive, offense is going to take care of itself. But defensively, being really locked in on their guys. We know who we want to shoot the ball, who we're trying to take out. That's my main focus, trying to take away their comfortability and get them out their tendencies."
Powell on Paul George's status as he rehabilitates his knee sprain after missing Game 1:
"I can't really speak too much about his progression. You gotta see him on the court, so that's the extent of what I know. But talking to him, I think he's in a good head space. (He's) talking to the guys, making sure everybody knows what we're doing. He's really engaged, motivating the guys and I know he's hungry and eager to get back. I just want him to continue to progress his rehab and take his time. We know what's at stake, but nothing's more important than your health and longevity."
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How the Clippers plan to stop the Suns looking for faster, efficient pace on offense and getting Kevin Durant in his shooting rhythm early in Game 2:
"I think the biggest thing is the turnovers. That's how that fuels the transition, that's what gets them out. And taking good shots. Bad shots fuel their transition as well. Taking the shots that they want us to take, really work in the game and finding good shots. If you take sudden shots, or s---t shots when you're not expecting it and (Suns) get guys back in transition, that's what they're really good at. And then there are leak-outs. We know that Kevin Durant or D-Book (Devin Booker) is contesting, they kind of run past the shooter, get a rebound and kick it ahead. Just taking good shots and making sure we're focused on getting backloaded in transition and making them play in the half-court."
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Clippers' Norman Powell discusses Paul George, Suns before Game 2
