The LA Clippers will have two days off after their 122-116 loss to the Indiana Pacers to end the Grammy road trip with a 4-4 record.
Summary
It’s seemingly been a staple of the Clippers on this road trip to get down by double-digits before embarking on a comeback to ultimately win the game. Throughout the first half on Monday night, the Clippers looked like they were ready to match Indiana’s energy from the get-go.
The Clippers only led briefly in the first half, but they managed to keep pace with Indiana and never trailed by more than seven points. They went into the half down 60-55.
Throughout this road trip, the second half has been the half the Clippers really start rolling, and it appeared as if this game would follow the same script. They took the lead, 66-62 with just over 10 minutes to go in the third quarter on an Amir Coffey three-point shot.
The Clippers would expand their lead to 80-72 late in the third quarter when Reggie Jackson found a cutting Terance Mann for a dunk. The Pacers wouldn’t go away however, as they battled back to cut the Clippers lead to 85-84 heading into the fourth and final quarter.
The fourth quarter was when all the momentum changed. The Clippers opened the quarter with a Nicolas Batum three-point shot off a phenomenal pass from a falling Isaiah Hartenstein who was swarmed in the paint and somehow got the pass behind his head to Batum, who was open from deep.
That was when Duane Washington Jr. took over. Washington hit four three-pointers in a four minute span that really took the wind out of the Clippers sails. His three-pointer at the seven and a half minute mark gave the Pacers a 106-94 lead and the Clippers were never able to really gain any momentum after that.
Reggie Jackson’s three-point shot with just over three minutes to go cut the Pacers lead to 112-109, but another one of Indiana’s young guns, Isaiah Jackson, was able to get several easy finishes around the rim to effectively put the game out of reach.
Notes
- Despite the Pacers game being a winnable one, the Clippers 4-4 road trip should be looked at as a success. They have their two stars sidelined on the bench right now, yet this team has managed to stay afloat. Right now they are a very good collection of role players that fit perfectly around their stars, but shouldn’t be expected to do that much without them. The fact that they’re hovering around .500 overall is a testament to the strong chemistry and cohesiveness this team has as well as Tyronn Lue’s coaching. This was billed as one of the toughest parts of the Clippers schedule and they got through it in impressive fashion. This trip could’ve determined which direction the Clippers go in for the remainder of the season and they showed that if they do end up getting back one or even both of their stars at some point in the near future, this team could be a force to be reckoned with.