The Clippers fell for the second time this season at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets, 112-108, Sunday night at Staples Center. The duel was not without controversy, as in the last possession of the Angels, Kawhi Leonard’s offensive foul was scored on James Harden, although there was a first contact by the ‘beard’.
“My conclusion is that if we’re going to play bullying basketball at the end of the game, then let it be a pair for both of us. But they didn’t score that caught me first, they considered it a good defense. there was marking, we will say it was good defense, ”Kawhi Leonard said in the only response he gave to the media before getting up and retiring.
Anger and frustration were evident in the angel star. This play, ended up sentencing the result in favor of the visitors in the second end, when the marking sent to Harden to the line of free shots.
“They scored him, so there’s not much that can be done now. I’m not someone who usually complains, but some of the players tell me that (Harden) had his arm before Kawhi could push. The same (Kawhi ) says Harden had his arm, “Clippers coach Tyronn Lue explained. “I don’t know why I didn’t see it, then I’ll review it, but for me the game is over already and there’s nothing we can do anymore, so that’s what it is.”
Paul George could not be in pain on the final straight of the match, due to the restriction of minutes in which he is currently. It was just the second game for PG since his return to the pain, after a two-week absence due to edema in his right finger.
“I was ready to go (to hurt her), I wanted to stay in the game,” Paul George said. “I’m fine to go on for now, I’m healthy and I feel good.”
George had already played 33 minutes into the match, three above what was originally budgeted, so the coaching staff decided not to risk it despite the difference their presence could represent in the final 2:50 minutes. PG13 was the top scorer for the Angels with 34 points.
“At the start of the last quarter, the game got out of control and we had to get back in (PG) to close things off. He played really well and helped us get back into the game to have a chance to “It’s a very difficult decision, we had to get to the final stretch, but the most important thing is his health. The player’s health is always first,” said coach Lue.
For coach Lue, the Clippers defense did a good job, but the offense was left to duty. Were it not for the 34 and 29 points of Paul George and Kawhi respectively, the rest of the 8 players who saw minutes in the rotation, scored 45 units in all. The group also lost 16 balls to a rival that does not prioritize in its strategy to force the agreements.
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The new Nets member pushes Patrick Beverley after receiving a foul and the two quickly get separated.
“We fell into the trap. With their defense, they make a lot of adjustments and changes and we try to manipulate the covers and that got us out of our game of moving the ball and protecting it. Again, it’s their defense. so unique and different that they employ that it took us off the balance of our style of play, ”Paul George noted.
Harden and Jordan finished with a double-double; 37 points and 11 rebounds for Harden, 13 units and 11 rebounds for Jordan. While Kyrie Irving contributed another 28 points in the victory.
Three weeks passed after the first clash between these two NBA powers. In that duel, Nets took the win in a big game in Brooklyn, 124-120. Now, in Los Angeles, Nets added one more win. In the first game, Nets had the whole arsenal of the ‘Big Three’, Kevin Durant, Irving and Harden, but tonight, Durant was not due to a muscle injury and in the same way they seal the triumph.
Brooklyn holds a streak of six wins on the wire; within this streak, they completed a successful tour as visitors where five Western Conference teams were measured. They won all 5 games against the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, reigning Los Angeles Lakers champions and Clippers.
The Clippers will look to return to the Victorita on Tuesday when they host the Washington Wizards.