The Pelicans continue to dominate the Clippers.
The Los Angeles Clippers lost 116-106 to the New Orleans Pelicans at home, ending their three-game winning streak.
In brief
The Pelicans are the team that the Clippers have had the most difficulty playing against over the last few seasons. Those difficulties appeared to be going to persist in the beginning.
With 16 points in the first quarter, Brandon Ingram’s offensive mastery helped the Pelicans leap out to an early 33-12 lead.
While the Pelicans were receiving everything they wanted, the Clippers were unable to purchase a bucket.
The Clippers didn’t start the game with the same vigor and enthusiasm as they did until Norman Powell lead the bench came in.
Apart from Powell, who had 15 points at the half, and Paul George, who had 17, the Clippers were unable to generate any kind of steady offensive flow.
Nevertheless, the Clippers had cut into the Pelicans’ lead to trail by only one at the half, 56-55.
Following the game, Kawhi Leonard gave the Clippers defense credit for their ability to reenter the game.
“We became more aggressively defensive. We’re getting some steals and deflections, so that’s good,” Leonard remarked.
“We were making easy baskets and getting out of transition pretty quickly.”
The Clippers appeared to have the solution to their Pelicans dilemma in the third quarter. On both ends of the court, they appeared locked in and concentrated.
Throughout the quarter, both sides exchanged blows, and the Clippers battled their way to trail by only two points, 85-83, entering the last frame of play.
But the Pelicans dominated the fourth quarter. The Pelicans went on a 10-0 run to regain a double-digit lead after the Clippers had closed the gap to two, 93-91, thanks to an offensive rebound and put back by Ivica Zubac.
The Pelicans had a fast start in the first quarter thanks to Ingram, but Zion Williamson drove them home in the closing seconds.
Leonard remarked, “They’re fantastic players; they’ll have nights like this.” “They got it going early, and you know it’s just operational once you make a few shots and you’re that good of a basketball player.”
