CLIPPERS OFFER LITTLE IN DEFEAT
Even before the Los Angeles Clippers lost their second starter to an injury, coach Tyronn Lue lamented his team’s potential lack of resistance on defense against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Pelicans 135, Clippers 115
Those two missing starters, center Serge Ibaka, who left the game because of back tightness, and point guard Patrick Beverley, are undoubtedly two of the Clippers’ top defenders.
But to give up 110 points through three quarters and to show indifference to guarding was the primary issue.
The hole the Clippers fell into was as big as 33 points early in the fourth quarter on Sunday night in New Orleans, meaning they were just waiting to accept the eventual 135-115 beat-down delivered by the Pelicans.
Zion Williamson was a force with 27 points, missing only three of his 16 shots.
Brandon Ingram was smooth with his 23 points, shooting 7 of 12 from the field and 3 of 6 from 3point range.
Lonzo Ball continued his torrid offensive stretch, scoring 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range.
Kawhi Leonard had 23 for the Clippers, and Paul George added 15.
Ibaka didn’t return for the second half with lower back tightness. Ivica Zubac started the second half at center in his place.
Beverley didn’t travel on the three-game trip because of an injured right knee. His replacement, Reggie Jackson, was solid with 18 points.
By the end of the third quarter, though, the Clippers trailed 110-83.
They basically stood around and offered little resistance as the Pelicans rip their defense apart, allowing New Orleans to make 67.2 percent of its shots through three quarters.
For the game, the Clippers’ defense saw the Pelicans shoot 65 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from 3-point range.
Warriors 131, Jazz 119: Draymond Green had his 26th career triple-double with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists and host Golden State held off NBA-leading Utah to end a season-worst four-game losing streak. Green also had four steals in his second triple-double of the season. Stephen Curry had 32 points with six 3-pointers to go with nine assists.
76ers 134, Spurs 99: Tobias Harris scored 23 points and Philadelphia won it first game since Joel Embiid was lost to a knee injury, beating San Antonio at home. The Sixers’ hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference appears tenuous with Embiid out for at least two weeks with a bone bruise on his left knee. Embiid was injured Friday night in a victory at Washington.
Heat 102, Magic 97: Jimmy Butler scored 29 points, Tyler Herro added 22 and Miami rallied in the fourth quarter to beat host Orlando. The Heat have won four straight and 10 of 11. Butler finished with nine assists, seven rebounds and five steals in 36 minutes. He sealed it, stealing Michael Carter-Williams’ pass to set up his layup. Magic guard Terrence Ross scored 20 of his 31 points in the second half.
Hawks 100, Cavaliers 82: John Collins scored 22 points, Danilo Gallinari had 20 and Atlanta beat visiting Cleveland for its fifth consecutive victory under interim coach Nate McMillan.
Celtics 134, Rockets 107: Jaylen Brown scored 24 points, Jayson Tatum added 23 and visiting Boston handed Houston its 16th straight loss — one short of the franchise record.
Timberwolves 114, Trail Blazers 112: Anthony Edwards scored a career-high 34 points and shorthanded Minnesota held off Portland at home. Ricky Rubio added 15 points, including eight free throws in the final seconds. KarlAnthony Towns had 13 points as Minnesota started with just 10 players after rookie Jaden McDaniels was added to the health and safety protocols before the game. Damian Lillard scored 38 points for Portland.
Bulls 118, Raptors 95: Rookie Patrick Williams had a career-best 23 points to lead host Chicago past Toronto. Zach LaVine added 15 points to help the Bulls end a twogame slide.
Thunder 128, Grizzlies 122: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and Aleksej Pokusevski had a career-high 23, helping Oklahoma City beat visiting Memphis.