The chuckle got here first after which the top shake was subsequent, maybe that being the one method for Clippers coach Tyronn Lue to return to grips along with his workforce’s unrelenting schedule.
They performed their seventh recreation in 11 nights, the Clippers no less than at house dealing with the surging Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night time.
Because the Clippers have executed a lot this season, they obtained down massive, rallied to get again within the recreation and had an opportunity to tie the rating, however Marcus Morris Sr. had his potential tying three-pointer blocked by Valuable Achiuwa with 1.3 seconds left, sending L.A. to a 103-100 defeat to the Raptors.
“It was a very good problem for us offensively,” Lue mentioned.
The Clippers trailed by 17 factors within the third however closed to inside 4 on the finish of the quarter.
The Clippers once more obtained down within the fourth however rallied from the 10-point deficit to path 101-100 on a three-pointer by Nicolas Batum with 35.1 seconds left.
Fred Van Vleet missed the second of two free throws, however he obtained his personal offensive rebound, drawing a foul.
The Clippers allowed the Raptors to get 13 offensive rebounds, an issue they couldn’t resolve.
Nonetheless, Van Vleet made simply one in every of two free throws, leaving the door open for the Clippers, who trailed by three factors with 9 seconds left.
Lue inserted heart Ivica Zubac for rebounding functions this time.
“I ought to have did it the primary time,” Lue mentioned about placing his massive heart again within the recreation for measurement. “I tousled. I ought to have gotten him in.”
Morris, who had 22 factors, seven assists and 6 rebounds, couldn’t get by the protection of Achiuwa.
“That was the play we had been attempting to get,” mentioned Reggie Jackson, who had 23 factors and 9 assists. “They did a very good job of urgent him. … They simply obtained a cease — luckily for them and sadly for us.”
The Clippers had simply returned house from a three-game journey, going 1-2 whereas resting mainstays Jackson and Morris throughout Monday night time’s additional time loss at Cleveland.
The Clippers are having to endure this tortuous scheduled short-handed — Kawhi Leonard (proper knee), Paul George (proper elbow) and Norman Powell, who had the boot taken off his left foot with a fractured medial sesamoid bone, all are out. Robert Covington missed 5 video games for private causes; he was again for the Raptors recreation, nevertheless.
With so many video games in so many days and being with out some our bodies, Lue was requested how his workforce has dealt with all of this.
“The workforce has been fairly good,” Lue mentioned. “I like what I noticed final recreation in opposition to Cleveland. I do know we had been short-handed. We obtained Marcus and Reggie some relaxation, however our younger guys got here in and performed effectively.
“We perceive the circumstances. We’re the one workforce with 5 [sets of] 5 [games] in seven [nights]. We simply exit and attempt to compete each night time and win each recreation.”
The issue for the Clippers was coping with Pascal Siakam, who had 31 factors on 13-for-22 capturing and 12 rebounds.
The Clippers have 10 regular-season video games left, and the subsequent two are on the street, beginning with Friday’s recreation at Utah.
The Clippers can have three days off earlier than enjoying at Denver on March 22.
It doesn't matter what, Lue mentioned, the Clippers might be prepared. “I believe we’re mentally targeted,” Lue mentioned. “They perceive that as a workforce we've to get higher at, some issues that we've so as to add. And, so, the fellows are getting the correct quantity of relaxation.”
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