The LA Clippers absolutely dominated their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on Friday and two and a half quarters, but a rally from the home team means the teams have drawn their duel this week, with the Warriors 115-105 won it. .
The result is reminiscent of the Clippers’ playoff game against the Denver Nuggets last season, with LA leading by more than 20 points in the third quarter, before it looked like they had lost all their mojoe and in the course of the rest folded. of the game.
The Clippers have continued their usual starting five so far this year, from Patrick Beverley, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Nicolas Batum and Serge Ibaka, and for most of the game they have looked good.
They took an early lead and went up 13-5 for the first TV countdown of the night. They threw it from there and led 24-10. Golden State hit a few shots, but LA finished the first quarter with a 30-22 lead, and the score spread and Ibaka hit all four of his shots to speed up the team.
In the 2nd quarter, the Clippers kept the Warriors at arm’s length, and in several possessions managed to push the opponent to get a second chance or enforce a quick turnover. They led 65-51 at halftime, and George moved up 17 points to lead the visitors, and Ibaka was just behind him with 14 points.
After the break, it was largely more the same, with the Clippers increasing their lead, when the Warriors re-entered and expanded it again. Stephen Curry does the job of the woman to keep Golden State in the game. But LA’s stars did their part and that of the supporting cast. Of the highlights, Lou Williams provided a rare block in the dying moments of the 3rd quarter on Kent Bazemore.
Still, Curry did not want to give up, and he hit an almost buzzer to end the quarter that reduced the Clippers’ lead to just six points, 87-81. Curry had 33 points at that point.
The rally continued until the Warriors tied the game a few minutes in the 4th quarter at 87-87, and then the Warriors finally took the lead and stood up 97-91 with 8:22 ahead. LA tied it up, but after Brad Wanamaker hit a triangular lead, George could not get a shot on the next possession until the shot clock expired, which was basically the night in the coffin.
Golden State continued to hold the lead in momentum as the clock ticked, with the Clippers freezing in virtually every facet of the game, and the game was over with a few minutes left.
George had 25 points on the night, Leonard 24 of his own, but Curry finished with 38 and Andrew Wiggins quietly had another strong game against the Clippers, with 16 points.
It’s just one game, it’s the regular season, but it was a very bad result for the Clippers. We know they are not going to win every time, but to play a stronger cast, dominate the game and then collapse completely in the last 15 minutes or so. Expect some tough words to appear after the press conference after the game.
LA will return home for their next game, Sunday against the Chicago Bulls.