The LA Clippers were on the verge of their third straight loss when a late push powered them past the visiting Washington Wizards, 115-109.
Game Summary
On the heels of a two-game losing streak, the Clippers returned home to Crypto.com Arena looking to get back in the win column. After two rather horrendous shooting performances against the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors, the Clippers had a much better opening period against the Wizards. The Wizards had themselves a good opening quarter as well and led 29-28 at the end of one.
In the second quarter, the Wizards built up a bit of a cushion, but some strong Clipper defense brought the team back along with some solid production from Marcus Morris Sr. who had 18 points at the half. The Clippers would take a 57-55 lead at halftime shooting 54.5 percent, but they also finished with nine turnovers in the half and allowed the Wizards to shoot 15 free-throws.
The Wizards came out the half strong led by Kyle Kuzma to regain the lead and take control of the game. They would increase their margin to ten points, 85-75 off a jumper from Ish Smith, and that was when the Clippers made their move.
Using another solid defensive performance buoyed by Isaiah Hartenstein, the Clippers held the Wizards scoreless through the end of the third quarter while getting a boost from Luke Kennard who knocked down a couple of three-point shots to give the Clippers some momentum.
Most of the fourth quarter was a back and forth game, and with 3:34 to play it was all tied up at 104. A fadeaway jumper by Kristaps Porzingis and a three-point shot from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gave the the Wizards a 109-104 lead with just over two minutes to go and it looked like the Clippers were headed for another loss.
But the Wizards got careless with the basketball and gifted a few possessions to the Clippers off turnovers. Reggie Jackson would attack the rim and finish to bring the team to within 109-106. Morris drew a foul on Rui Hachimura while shooting a midrange jumper and knocked down both free-throws to make it 109-108.
After forcing another Wizards turnover, this time a 24-second shot clock violation with 39.8 seconds left, Jackson got downhill quickly and into the paint, drew the defense and kicked the ball out to Terance Mann who promptly swung the ball to an open Nicolas Batum for the go-ahead three-point shot.
The Wizards were unable to convert offensively in the final two minutes as the Clippers ended the game on an 11-0 run.
