Paul George and Clippers powerless against Jimmy Butler in loss to Heat

On the NBA circuit, there are few cities through which the visiting locker room clears out faster than right here, the place late-night dinners and nightlife await alongside Biscayne Bay or the quick drive to South Seaside.

And that’s on a very good evening. There was actually no purpose for the Clippers to linger after Thursday evening’s 115-110 loss to the Miami Warmth, after an evening the place small breakdowns continued the large development hanging over this season: The Clippers nonetheless can’t achieve traction on their championship pursuit, a relentless run of accidents main a preseason title contender to usually slip backward as quickly because it finds progress.

After Kawhi Leonard’s game-winning shot Monday claimed the opener of this four-game journey and injected life into the squad within the long-awaited return of Leonard and fellow All-Star Paul George from damage, the Clippers have misplaced to Orlando and Miami, groups which have struggled to search out their identities.

Amid lengthy stares within the locker room, the Clippers remained optimistic that they might play the lengthy recreation and change into the staff they need to be.

“I’ve obtained confidence, that we’ve accomplished it earlier than, very comparable locker room over my time right here final three years, so I obtained confidence we are able to do it, we’ve simply obtained to all get wholesome and get on the identical web page and enjoying on the identical time,” level guard Reggie Jackson stated. “It’s going to take some reps however hopefully we are able to all get wholesome right here quickly and begin truly logging minutes collectively to place it collectively.”

Mentioned George: “We’re not that far off.”

A ten-point first-quarter Clippers lead was undone by permitting 13 consecutive factors. After the Clippers lower their deficit to at least one halfway via the fourth quarter, Miami started a 12-5 run within the subsequent 4 minutes. Bam Adebayo scored 31 factors however Jimmy Butler scored Miami’s ultimate eight through the recreation’s ultimate three minutes, together with three contested jumpers to increase the Warmth’s result in six, eight and 5 at essential junctures.

“Too many breakdowns in opposition to a staff like this the place it was like one cross, bucket or we simply fell asleep, no assist facet [defense],” stated George, who scored 29 factors, with eight rebounds and 7 assists that led to 19 factors. “These factors we are able to’t give as much as a very good staff and I assumed that was the sport.”

Not even a sometimes dependable indicator in Clippers victories may save them from losses on back-to-back nights. They entered Wednesday 10-2 when making extra three-pointers than their opponent. They made seven greater than Orlando, and 5 greater than Miami, even capturing 47% in opposition to the Warmth. On Wednesday, turnovers and what coach Tyronn Lue known as poor fourth-quarter protection overcame that benefit, and one evening later, Miami exploited the turnover hole once more, committing eight to the Clippers’ 16.

“I’ve to be higher, simply giving the ball away,” stated Jackson, who traveled, dedicated a carry and threw an simply intercepted cross in a five-minute stretch of the third quarter. He completed with 4 turnovers, the identical as George.

There have been Clippers reinforcements in Luke Kennard and John Wall, who performed after being held out the primary evening of the back-to-back for precautionary causes, and Marcus Morris Sr. returned to the beginning lineup after being in poor health in Orlando. However as some teammates got here again, others had been unavailable.

Leonard was held out of the second evening of the again to again and Terance Mann was in concussion protocol after slamming into Orlando’s Kevon Harris on the ultimate play of Wednesday’s time beyond regulation. Even those that did play had been saved on a tightly choreographed lineup rotation. Lue coaches off of intestine really feel for which lineup changes to make, however since Leonard and George returned Monday underneath strict minutes limits, he has coached whereas referencing a card that he stated reveals instances when gamers needs to be eliminated.

Considered one of few silver linings that Lue has taken from the Clippers’ up-and-down begin is that it’s no outlier in a Western Convention the place eight groups entered Thursday between .500 and .583. Nobody has run away from the pack.

“That at all times makes you are feeling higher in regards to the season and the way it’s going,” Lue stated earlier than tipoff.

That leaves room for alternative. How lengthy it’ll take the Clippers to take benefit is one other query, nevertheless.