Rowan Kavner
Score: LAC 104 – CLE 115
Cleveland, OH. – The Clippers knew defense would make or break them while playing shorthanded.
Increased play on that end led to them earning one of the league’s top defensive ratings during their 10-game winning streak, but the streak ended against Sacramento from lapses on defense and continued from there, as the Clippers (27-15) allowed at least 100 points for the third straight game in a 115-102 loss Thursday to the Cavaliers (30-11) to start the five-game road trip.
The Clippers held five of their final six opponents on their 10-game winning streak to fewer than 100 points prior to the recent struggles on that end, which began early in Cleveland. The Clippers allowed 28 points in the first quarter but were able to keep up with Cleveland offensively, leading by three points following a buzzer-beater to end the first quarter from Jamal Crawford.
Next Game: 1/22
But the Clippers went cold. making just two field goals in the final seven minutes of the second quarter. In past games, they might’ve been able to curb those issues on the defensive end, but the Cavaliers were able to use that drought to go on a 12-2 run and outscore the Clippers by 12 points in the quarter.
The Clippers allowed 59 points in the first half and trailed the entire second half, despite threatening in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers, who led by double digits much of the second half, saw their lead get down to six at 93-87 courtesy of a 10-2 Clippers run early in the fourth quarter.
Then the 3-pointers started.
A Clippers team that had used the long-range shot so often recently saw it used against them late, as four of Cleveland’s next five baskets came on 3-pointers to put the game away.
Chris Paul finished with 30 points and nine assists. J.J. Redick added 17 points and Jamal Crawford had 16 off the bench in the loss.
