The Warriors went 0 for 8 in first 5 minutes and 30 seconds of the game before James Wiseman got a midrange jumper for the Warriors first points. With 2 minutes left in the quarter the Warriors were 4 of 19 and weren’t able to find a rhythm. The Clippers weren’t scoring much either. The Warriors were 24% on shooting scoring 13 points, the Clippers on the other hand went 34.8% on shooting and scored 21 points. The Warriors were 10% from 3 and the Clippers are 22.2% from behind the line.
In the second quarter the Warriors started slow but picked it up scoring 9 points in the last minute. Eric Paschall was the leading scorer for the Warriors in this half scoring 15 points on 66.7% on shooting in 11 minutes. Serge Ibaka and Paul George were the Clippers leading scorers in the first half with a combined 16 points on 35% from the field and 20% from 3. As a team the Warriors shot 39.6% from the field in the first half whereas the Clippers were shooting 42.6% from the field in the first half. At halftime the Clippers are leading 52-51.
The third quarter started off with a Warriors turnover turning into a Lou Williams 3. The Warriors went on an 11-5 run to end the quarter. At the end of the 3rd Paul George and Kawhi Leonard combine for 29 points on 45% from the field. The Warriors played strongly throughout the 3rd quarter.
The Clippers led 83-77 to start the 4th quarter. A Wiggins 3 gave the Warriors their first lead 1 minute and a half into the 4th quarter. The Clippers went on an 11-0 run with 3:00 to go. The final score was Clippers 108, Warriors 101. The Clippers blew up in the last 5 minutes and the Warriors just couldn’t keep up. It was a close game until the last 5 minutes when Nicholas Batum and Patrick Beverley combined for 3 3s which essentially led to the Warriors loss. The Clippers are now 6-3 and the Warriors are 4-4. Andrew Wiggins and Eric Paschall both scored 19 points to lead the Warriors. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George led the Clippers each scoring 21 points being the Clippers keys to a nice win.
Leo’s Courtside Commentary: In my opinion the main key to the Clippers win was being able to contain Curry after 2 30+ point games. If the Warriors want to win against the Clippers on Friday I think that Curry will need to be able break through a tough Clippers defense led by Patrick Beverley. The Warriors will also need to find an offensive spark earlier in the first half. Despite the Warriors loss this game showed that the Warriors can compete with elite teams such as the Clippers. With more experience I think that this Warriors team can really compete in the west.
Out of LF 