LOS ANGELES – Blake Griffin had his worst performance of the season and the Los Angeles Clippers lost their third consecutive game 91-80 against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Toronto Raptors won their third consecutive game over the Los Angeles Clippers thanks to two tremendous performances by DeMar DeRozan and DeMarre Carroll.
After back-to-back losses on Thursday and Friday night, the Clippers limped out of the gate as the Raptors jumped out to an early 10-point lead.
Things got worse for Lob City in the second quarter as they only scored five points in the first five minutes, finishing the quarter with just 11 points and trailing by 29 points at the half.
The Clippers came out of the locker room with a renewed dedication to defense and slammed the door shut on Toronto in the third quarter, holding them to just eight points.
The Clippers comeback continued in the fourth and final quarter but they fell short, scoring just 80 points, their lowest total of the year. Blake Griffin had just 9 points, his worst performance of the season.
J.J. Redick led the Clippers with 17 points in his second game back from a back injury. His effort was not enough to stop the Clippers losing streak, and Lob City has now gone 2-7 after starting the season 4-0.
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TURNING POINT
The Clippers had cut the Raptors lead all the way down to six points with a little over five minutes remaining in the game. After a Toronto basket, Blake Griffin made a layup, but was called for a controversial offensive foul. Replays showed the call was questionable at best, but the Raptors came right back with a two-point basket from Luis Scola and extended their lad back to 12 points.
MVP OF THE GAME
DeMarre Carroll. The former Atlanta Hawks sixth man had his best game in a Raptors uniform with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 three-pointers.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Clippers trailed by 29 points at halftime. Had they completed the comeback, it would have been the largest comeback since the team moved to Los Angeles in 1984.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
Clippers get booed as they head into halftime. Trailing 63-34. Redick with 13, DeAndre Jordan with 6. — Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) November 22, 2015
I'd boo too if this reassembled team with high expectations was losing by 30 at home at the half.
PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
Nice kicks.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"Execution and energy were really bad." Clippers head coach Doc Rivers after the game.
NOTES
The Los Angeles Clippers have lost three consecutive games for the first time this season and the Toronto Raptors have won three consecutive games against the Clippers.
RECORD
Toronto Raptors (9-6) (6-5 on the road) 2nd in the Atlantic Division
Los Angeles Clippers (6-7) (5-3 at home) 3rd in the Pacific Division
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Raptors head back to Canada where they will host LeBron James and the defending Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday at 7:30PM EST.
The Los Angeles Clippers head to the Mile High City where they will take on the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday at 9:00 PM EST as they look to avoid a four-game losing streak.
