The sport was presupposed to be a check of their endurance, a check to see how the Clippers might deal with taking part in a fourth recreation in seven days whereas going through the highest group within the Western Convention, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
The Clippers have already got been examined this season, exams that gauged whether or not they might ship late with a win hanging within the steadiness. It hasn’t gone properly, with the Clippers shedding three shut video games coming into Saturday.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue stated the Thunder would “test our mentality and how we got to play.”
Lue wished his group to play as properly within the second half as they’ve sometimes performed within the first half of video games — to maintain the identical effort.
The Clippers (2-4) failed to attain that objective, shedding 105-92 to the Thunder. The Clippers have misplaced three straight and are 0-4 on the Intuit Dome, their new dwelling in Inglewood.
“So, like I said, just mentally being tough, being strong,” Lue stated earlier than the sport. “We’re not the only ones playing this kind of schedule. So, we got to lock in and pay attention to details and just play better in the second half on both sides of the floor.”
The Clippers began robust within the first quarter, constructing a 13-point lead. They went six for 16 from three-point vary, tying a franchise report for three-point makes an attempt within the first quarter.
However they struggled with turnovers within the second quarter, giving the ball away eight instances for 11 factors. For the sport, the Clippers had 20 turnovers.
Lue stated earlier than the sport he wished the Clippers to deal with the basketball. The Clippers entered averaging 16.4 turnovers per recreation, the sixth-worst within the NBA. They failed to chop down on the turnovers towards the Thunder, who led the league in steals coming into Saturday, averaging 13.8 per recreation.
By halftime, the Thunder (6-0) reduce the Clippers’ result in 57-53. The Clippers have been outscored 12-2 to begin the fourth quarter, falling right into a 13-point gap and failing to get any nearer.
“…When we run our offense, we have a pretty good offense,” Lue stated. “But when we play random basketball, we’re not that good right now. So, when we hold it (and) get stagnant, we’re not very good.”
Norman Powell led the Clippers with 24 factors, however James Harden had simply 12 factors on four-for-13 capturing, with 13 rebounds. Ivica Zubac had 9 factors and 12 rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 25 factors and 9 assists.
