Rowan Kavner
Score: LAC 85 – ATL 83
ATLANTA – Something seems to click defensively for the Clippers once the three-minute mark in the third quarter hits.
It happened in Indiana, holding the Pacers scoreless for the next eight and a half minutes after that mark hit to escape with the win. Then, just a night later, it happened again Wednesday, holding the Hawks scoreless through the final three minutes of the third and to just three points in nearly eight minutes to start the fourth to win both games of the back-to-back.
Next Game: 1/29
Every time the Hawks threatened, the Clippers had an answer defensively – probably more times than they would’ve liked in an 85-83 win.
After Chris Paul weaved his way through the lane and dished to DeAndre Jordan for a wide open dunk to take the lead with 15 seconds left, strong switching and defense prevented Paul Millsap from getting the lead back. Jamal Crawford hit two free throws, but after Al Horford hit one of two free throws, the Clippers fumbled the inbounds pass.
Once again, the Clippers came up with another defensive stop on Millsap to finally seal the deal.
The Clippers trailed by as many as nine points midway through the third quarter and could’ve easily packed it in. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, after all that occurred throughout the trip, no one would’ve blamed them.
Instead, they got defensive.
Luc Mbah a Moute hit a jumper. Paul added another. The next five minutes, all the Hawks mustered offensively was one 3-pointer from Paul Millsap.
It was often slow. It was often sloppy. What the Hawks lacked in ball control, committing 23 turnovers on the night, the Clippers equaled with a lack of offensive rhythm, shooting just 38.8 percent.
But the Clippers shouldn’t care much. They found a way to win both games of the back-to-back, even with their starters struggling from the floor, heading back to Los Angeles having gone 3-2 on a road trip that included four of the top eight teams in the East.
