Regardless of a 6-21 begin, James Harden forcing a commerce and a lingering NBA investigation, the Los Angeles Clippers have clawed again to the sting of playoff rivalry. Blowing a large lead Friday was a large intestine punch.
The Clippers had gained three straight and took a 25-point lead on the San Antonio Spurs halfway via the third quarter. However because of a livid comeback, a huge game from Victor Wembanyama and a deadly late-game gaffe, they misplaced 116-112 and dropped additional again within the standings.
L.A. Clippers have a small margin for error
Kawhi Leonard had 30 factors and 9 rebounds towards the Spurs, his third sport of 30-plus factors in his final six video games. He scored 20 factors within the ultimate quarter, half his crew’s whole, because the Clippers fell brief. Even together with his stellar current play, Leonard’s crew stays two video games below .500.
The loss saved them two video games behind the Golden State Warriors for eighth place, a vital distinction. Ending ninth means having to win two play-in video games to qualify for the playoffs relatively than getting two possibilities to win one sport, and pressure them into a probable matchup with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who’ve overwhelmed the Clippers twice by a mean of 20 factors.
That they had an actual probability to get inside a sport of the Warriors Friday. Trailing by one even after the Spurs’ frantic comeback, Nicolas Batum inbounded the ball, however he by no means stepped onto the court docket earlier than receiving a return move.
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