Rowan Kavner
Score: LAC 94 – TOR 112
TORONTO – As fast as the Clippers got out to a 13-point lead Sunday in Toronto, they watched it turn into a 14-point deficit faster.
The starters played their part, with all of them on the positive side of the plus-minus, but it was a night to forget for the reserves, as the Raptors (29-15) took advantage every time Chris Paul and J.J. Redick left the floor in a 112-94 loss for the Clippers (28-16).
Next Game: 1/26
The Raptors outscored the Clippers, 8-4, at the end of the first quarter once Paul left the game. It only got worse in the second quarter, when the Raptors outscored the Clippers, 35-15. The Clippers went 4-for-15 in the quarter with eight turnovers, while the Raptors went 15-for-25 from the floor.
By the 5:47 mark in the second quarter, the Clippers’ early 32-19 lead had become a 54-40 deficit. The Clippers trailed by double digits the rest of the first half, but things got interesting when the starters returned coming out of halftime, starting the third quarter on a 15-6 run.
DeAndre Jordan received a pass from Paul Pierce, making the shot and absorbing the foul to get the Clippers within four points, but they wouldn’t get closer than that the rest of the night.
Paul, who finished with 23 points and 11 assists, and Redick, who added 17 points, were both plus-10 for the game. Every Clippers backup who played at least 10 minutes, meanwhile, finished minus-25 or worse.
Clippers Star: Chris Paul – As he’s been so often throughout the month, Paul was the catalyst for the Clippers’ offense. Unfortunately, Doc Rivers couldn’t play him 48 minutes. Paul increased his already season-high January numbers, entering the game averaging 21.1 points and 11.6 assists this month.
Raptors Star: Kyle Lowry – He’ll be the East’s starting point guard when Toronto hosts the All-Star Game, and he showed why Sunday with 21 points and six assists.
X-Factor: DeMar Derozan – Derozan was only 6-for-17, but he seemed to make his six buckets count. Derozan posted 18 points and five assists.
