The Clippers are in the course of their most arduous a part of the common season, taking part in six video games in 9 days — a stretch that threatens to push them to their limits.
Making issues worse, accidents are proving troublesome to keep away from.
With Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac out, the Clippers noticed their four-game successful streak finish in a 112-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls on the Intuit Dome on Monday evening.
Leonard (proper knee harm administration) and Zubac (left eye corneal abrasion) sat out, and their presence was sorely missed — the Clippers shot simply 39.4% from the sphere and 21.4% from three-point vary.
Chicago (19-25) opened an 18-point lead within the third quarter earlier than the Clippers clawed again to inside 9 factors within the fourth. However the Bulls finally put the sport away when Zach LaVine hit back-to-back three pointers with 1:24 left for a 15-point lead. He scored 11 of his game-high 35 factors within the fourth quarter.
Norman Powell had 27 factors and James Harden had 17 factors and 10 assists.
Terance Mann had 12 factors off the bench for the Clippers. Mo Bamba began at middle instead of Zubac, ending with 10 factors and 7 rebounds.
The Clippers (24-18) have been taking part in on back-to-back nights after defeating the Lakers on Sunday. They are going to play one other back-to-back set on Wednesday and Thursday towards Boston and Washington, respectively.
“Just got to be mentally tough,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned earlier than Monday’s loss. “I think the stretch we’re going through right now, we talked about it before it hit, and just got to be mentally tough. Take it game by game. Don’t look at it as six games nine nights, or four in five. Just take it game by game. Our guys have done a good job with that.”
Zubac, who performed within the Clippers’ first 41 video games, will endure further exams on his eye harm, Lue mentioned.
”…It did swell up on him final evening and it was a troublesome blow,” Lue mentioned. “Hopefully we can get him back sooner than later.”
