Clippers’ potential tying three-pointer blocked in loss to Raptors

The chuckle got here first after which the pinnacle shake was subsequent, maybe that being the one means for Clippers coach Tyronn Lue to come back to grips along with his crew’s unrelenting schedule.

They performed their seventh recreation in 11 nights, the Clippers not less than at house dealing with the surging Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night time.

Because the Clippers have performed a lot this season, they acquired down massive, rallied to get again within the recreation and had an opportunity to tie the rating, however Marcus Morris Sr. had his potential tying three-pointer blocked by Valuable Achiuwa with 1.3 seconds left, sending L.A. to a 103-100 defeat to the Raptors.

“It was a great problem for us offensively,” Lue stated.

The Clippers trailed by 17 factors within the third however closed to inside 4 on the finish of the quarter.

The Clippers once more acquired down within the fourth however rallied from the 10-point deficit to path 101-100 on a three-pointer by Nicolas Batum with 35.1 seconds left.

Fred Van Vleet missed the second of two free throws, however he acquired his personal offensive rebound, drawing a foul.

The Clippers allowed the Raptors to get 13 offensive rebounds, an issue they couldn’t remedy.

Nonetheless, Van Vleet made simply considered one of two free throws, leaving the door open for the Clippers, who trailed by three factors with 9 seconds left.

Lue inserted middle Ivica Zubac for rebounding functions this time.

“I ought to have did it the primary time,” Lue stated about placing his massive middle again within the recreation for measurement. “I tousled. I ought to have gotten him in.”

Morris, who had 22 factors, seven assists and 6 rebounds, couldn’t get by the protection of Achiuwa.

“That was the play we have been making an attempt to get,” stated Reggie Jackson, who had 23 factors and 9 assists. “They did a great job of urgent him. … They simply acquired a cease — luckily for them and sadly for us.”

The Clippers had simply returned house from a three-game journey, going 1-2 whereas resting mainstays Jackson and Morris throughout Monday night time’s extra time loss at Cleveland.

The Clippers are having to endure this tortuous scheduled short-handed — Kawhi Leonard (proper knee), Paul George (proper elbow) and Norman Powell, who had the boot taken off his left foot with a fractured medial sesamoid bone, all are out. Robert Covington missed 5 video games for private causes; he was again for the Raptors recreation, nonetheless.

With so many video games in so many days and being with out some our bodies, Lue was requested how his crew has dealt with all of this.

“The crew has been fairly good,” Lue stated. “I like what I noticed final recreation towards Cleveland. I do know we have been short-handed. We acquired Marcus and Reggie some relaxation, however our younger guys got here in and performed nicely.

“We perceive the circumstances. We’re the one crew with 5 [sets of] 5 [games] in seven [nights]. We simply exit and attempt to compete each night time and win each recreation.”

The issue for the Clippers was coping with Pascal Siakam, who had 31 factors on 13-for-22 taking pictures and 12 rebounds.

The Clippers have 10 regular-season video games left, and the following two are on the street, beginning with Friday’s recreation at Utah.

The Clippers could have three days off earlier than enjoying at Denver on March 22.

It doesn’t matter what, Lue stated, the Clippers will likely be prepared. “I believe we’re mentally targeted,” Lue stated. “They perceive that as a crew now we have to get higher at, some issues that now we have so as to add. And, so, the blokes are getting the right quantity of relaxation.”