MINUS GEORGE, GAME SLIPS AWAY
For a moment during Thursday’s second quarter, it looked as though the Clippers were about to make any more handwringing over their crunch-time efficiency moot.
Coming off of two losses in which their offense stalled in the fourth quarter’s final minutes, the Clippers were not leaving their matchup against Washington to chance. Despite foul trouble for Kawhi Leonard, dizziness that sidelined Paul George right before tipoff and a hail of turnovers, the Clippers led by 16 points with 78 seconds remaining in the first half.
But this would be no easy saunter into the NBA’s AllStar break.
After the Clippers took their 16-point lead, the host Wizards went on a 21-2 run lasting into the third quarter, a five-minute stretch that in a back-and-forth second half that ended in the same fashion as the first — Washington unable to be stopped, the Clippers unable to score en route to a 119-117 Clippers defeat.
Leading 106-102 with 4 minutes, 23 seconds to play, the Clippers ceded an 11-0 run over the next three minutes.
A 3-pointer by Leonard cut their deficit to one point with 14 seconds left, and after free throws by Washington’s Bradley Beal and Clippers center Ivica Zubac drew the Clippers within one again with seven seconds left, Wizards forward Rui Hachimura stepped to the free-throw line.
He made the first, then missed the second — only for the rebound to be grabbed by Beal, who dribbled out the clock
The defeat is the Clippers’ third consecutive to end the season’s first half, the first time this season the Clippers have lost three straight, and each featured the strikingly similar finish of seeing a hard-won lead disappear.
Before tipoff, coach Tyronn Lue said he planned to spend his next four or five days taking a break from basketball, with the exception of some film study.
Beal scored 33 points to lead the Wizards (14-20) and Russell Westbrook added 27.
Leonard scored 22 points, Patrick Beverley added 17 and Lou Williams had 16 for the Clippers.
Just as Leonard had warmed up Tuesday in Boston before being ruled out just minutes before tipoff because of back spasms, George warmed up inside Capital One Arena but, after experiencing what the team described as dizziness, was ruled a late scratch.
Heat 103, Pelicans 93:
Jimmy Butler had 29 points and nine assists, and visiting Miami took advantage of Zion Williamson’s absence to beat New Orleans. With a repertoire of strong inside moves and accurate midrange shooting, Butler made 10 of 14 shots and eight of nine free throws to help the Heat keep the Pelicans at bay.
Knicks 114, Pistons 104:
Julius Randle capped his AllStar first half with 27 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists, sending host New York into the break with a winning
record after a victory over Detroit.
Celtics 132, Raptors 125:
Jayson Tatum had 27 points and 12 rebounds and host Boston won its fourth straight game, outlasting short-handed Toronto.
Bucks 112, Grizzlies 111:
Jrue Holiday hit a baseline jumper with two seconds remaining and Milwaukee escaped with the victory over Memphis on the road.
Nuggets 113, Pacers 103:
Nikola Jokic had 24 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, Michael Porter Jr. also scored 24 points and Denver beat Indiana. Denver closed out the first half of the season with four straight road wins.
Thunder 107, Spurs 102:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 points and visiting Oklahoma City rallied in the second half to beat San Antonio.
Suns 120, Warriors 98:
Cameron Payne scored 17 points, Devin Booker added 16 and Phoenix easily handled short-handed Golden State at home. The Suns enter the All-Star break at 2411, winning 16 of 19 dating to
Jan. 28.
Trail Blazers 123, Kings 119: Damian Lillard scored 44 points to lift Portland over visiting Sacramento.
Notable
LeBron James has faced Giannis Antetokounmpo as an opponent in the last three All-Star Games. The Lakers’ star got him as a teammate this year. James used the No. 1 overall pick on Antetokounmpo — the NBA’s twotime reigning MVP from Milwaukee — in the draft for Sunday’s All-Star Game in Atlanta. Kevin Durant, who will not play in the All-Star Game because of injury but still is the captain for Team Durant, took Brooklyn teammate Kyrie Ir ving with his first pick.
The other starters for Team LeBron will be Stephen Curry of Golden State, Luka Doncic of Dallas and Denver’s Jokic. The other starters for Team Durant will be Joel Embiid of Philadelphia, 2020 All-Star MVP Leonard of the Clippers, Washington’s Beal and Boston’s Tatum.