Road-weary Clippers look a step slow in loss to Pelicans
The Clippers lose for just the sixth time in 32 games, 117-106, in their first game back from an impressive 6-1 trip during which they had moved to the top of the Western Conference standings
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard looks to pass the ball as New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones, left, and forward Zion Williamson defend during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
From left, the Clippers’ Bones Hyland, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac watch from the bench during the second half of their loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, defends as New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson looks to shoot during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers star Paul George handles the ball as New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. defends during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New Orleans Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III scores on a layup in front of Clippers guard Russell Westbrook during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, left, looks to shoot as New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas defends during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, center, reacts as he is fouled on his shot between the Clippers’ Mason Plumlee, left, and Russell Westbrook during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram drives as Clippers guard James Harden defends during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue reacts behind guard Russell Westbrook during the first half of their game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, left, shoots as Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard defends during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New Orleans Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado looks to pass the ball as Clippers guard James Harden defends during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard drives as New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson defends during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas, left, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New Orleans Pelicans’ Herbert Jones scores on a layup in front of Clippers center Ivica Zubac, bottom center, during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, right, fouls Clippers guard James Harden during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard James Harden, left, is greeted by a fan after he fell into a courtside seat during the first half of their game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson shoots a fallaway shot in front of Clippers center Mason Plumlee during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, left, and Clippers guard Russell Westbrook reach for a rebound during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels gets to the basket for a layup during the first half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots as New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, right, tries to block it during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III, center, drives to the basket between Clippers center Mason Plumlee, left, and Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard looks to pass the ball as New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones, left, and forward Zion Williamson defend during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New Orleans Pelicans’ CJ McCollum shoots as Clippers guard James Harden defends during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, left, is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New Orleans Pelicans’ Dyson Daniels drives to the basket between the Clippers’ James Harden, left, and Mason Plumlee during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard handles the ball as New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum defends during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram handles the ball in front of Clippers star Paul George during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, left, reacts as he loses the ball in front of Clippers guard Russell Westbrook during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers center Mason Plumlee, left, and guard James Harden, right, defend against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, right, reacts after a foul call during the second half of their loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers center Mason Plumlee, left, falls to the court after he fouled New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson celebrates after a basket during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Norman Powell attempts a shot in front of the New Orleans Pelicans’ CJ McCollum (3) and Larry Nance Jr. during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels dunks during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook leaps to keep the ball from going out of bounds during the second half of their game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers center Mason Plumlee, right, reacts as he is held by New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram while reaching for the ball during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard drives to the basket between the New Orleans Pelicans’ Larry Nance Jr., right, and CJ McCollum during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, left, defends as New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson handles the ball during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Norman Powell scores between the New Orleans Pelicans’ Larry Nance Jr., right, and Herbert Jones during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, defends against New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard holds the ball as the New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson defends during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard drives to the basket as the New Orleans Pelicans’ CJ McCollum (3), Brandon Ingram (14) and Larry Nance Jr., right, defend during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. dunks in front of Clippers star Kawhi Leonard during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers center Mason Plumlee, center, loses the ball between the New Orleans Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III, right, and Brandon Ingram during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado gets to the basket for a layup during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, right, reacts as he is fouled while shooting between the New Orleans Pelicans’ Herbert Jones, back, CJ McCollum (3) and Zion Williamson, far left, during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, right, posts up as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, left, and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson reach for a rebound during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, left, shoots as Clippers center Mason Plumlee defends during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, center, reacts as he loses the ball between the New Orleans Pelicans’ Larry Nance Jr., right, and Herbert Jones during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden, back, fouls New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New Orleans Pelicans’ CJ McCollum, right, runs to the ball after the opening tip-off during the first half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — Clippers coach Tyronn Lue called it a mental game, a contest that would not only test his players’ weary legs but their focus, challenges that proved too difficult to overcome.
The Clippers faced the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night for their eighth game in 14 days and the effects of a long road trip showed. There were 18 turnovers, 43 missed shots, too many bad passes and not enough production from their stars, resulting in a lackluster 117-106 loss at Crypto.com Arena – just their sixth loss in 32 games since the start of December.
Lue said getting up for any game shouldn’t be difficult, especially against a team that had beaten the Clippers in nine of their past 11 meetings. But this one was different.
“It was a tough, tough game for us,” Lue said. “But no excuses. I’m pretty sure we’re not the only team who’s gone through this, but it is what it is. Everyone has a bad schedule game at some point in the season.”
This was that game for the Clippers (34-16), who, for the first time all season, never held a lead.
From the onset, the Clippers seemed off-kilter. All-Star Paul George didn’t score his first point – a technical foul free throw – until three minutes had elapsed in the third quarter and his first basket 29 seconds later. He scored seven points on 3-of-15 shooting, going 0 for 8 from 3-point range, and had one rebound and four assists.
Fellow All-Star Kawhi Leonard was double-teamed for most of the night and didn’t reach double figures until the second half, finishing with a modest 15 points on 4-of-10 shooting. Russell Westbrook lacked his usual energy off the bench and finished with four points, four assists and three rebounds.
Even James Harden didn’t play with his usual pass-first efficiency and left the game with a team-high 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Norman Powell had 18 points off the bench and Ivica Zubac contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.
The Clippers – who had moved atop the Western Conference standings (by percentage points) when Minnesota and Oklahoma City lost on Tuesday night – managed to get their head into the game in the final quarter, quickly cutting a 10-point deficit in half at 79-74 on a 3-pointer by Amir Coffey and a 2-foot toss by back-up center Mason Plumlee.
With four starters on the bench, the Clippers continued to keep the margin close, pulling within 84-80 on a 3-pointer by Harden. But their efforts were undone by a lack of stops at the other end as the Pelicans ran off eight straight points to regain a 10-point lead.
“Coming from a long road trip, there’s no excuse,” Harden said. “We had plenty of opportunities to win the game, but fatigue played a part in it – three games in four nights coming from Miami, Atlanta, you know what I mean? So, it is what it is. It’s a part of it. Now we get some rest, finish the last three games strong (before the All-Star break.)”
What the Clippers will look like before the first of those three games Saturday remains to be seen. The Clippers have a history of being active before the trade deadline and Thursday’s noon PT cutoff shouldn’t be any different.
P.J. Tucker, who came to the team in the trade with Harden, and reserve point guard Bones Hyland are targeted to be elsewhere by the weekend. George, however, didn’t think the team would make any moves.
“We’re honestly not looking to make any moves. … We know we have enough to win right now,” he said.
Just not enough in the tank to beat the Pelicans.
Playing through a bone bruise in his left foot, Zion Williamson scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and finished one shy of his career high in assists with 10, taking over down the stretch with a series of unstoppable drives to the hoop. CJ McCollum’s fifth 3-pointer with 5:15 to play stretched the Pelicans’ lead to 105-89.
McCollum scored 13 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter and had seven rebounds, and Brandon Ingram finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.
The Clippers returned home after winning six of seven games during their Grammy road trip, a nearly two-week stretch of games that they won in different ways. In some games, they had little trouble with opponents. At other times, they had to find ways to overcome slow starts or poor defensive games. It seemed to take a toll.
“So, we can win pretty, we can win ugly, we can win in between,” Lue said. “If you’re going to be an elite team and a great team in this league, you got to be able to win in different ways in different fashions if we’ve been able to do that on that road trip.”
Back at home, they couldn’t find a way to overcome the Pelicans (30-21), who extended their winning streak to four.
From the opening tip, the Clippers looked like a team that had traversed three time zones in 12 days. They were erratic and error-prone and trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half before closing the gap to eight (55-47) in the final three minutes before halftime.
The Pelicans jumped out to an early 11-2 lead but were met with an identical run by the Clippers that tied the score at 13. New Orleans, however, continued to pound the Clippers inside, shooting 53.5% from the field in the opening half to build a 36-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.
It might have been the Clippers’ worst quarter this season. They committed eight turnovers, were outrebounded and outplayed in most other categories as the Clippers got little production from George and Terance Mann.
George and Mann combined were 0 for 11 in the first 24 minutes.
And when they did complete a pass or basket, it was met with a turnover or a 3-pointer by Trey Murphy. They kicked their defense into gear and managed to slow the Pelicans in the second quarter.
“They played better than we did,” Lue said. “Their adjustments were pretty good. (Pelicans coach) Willie (Green) did a good job putting Herb (Jones) on James and putting Zion on Kawhi, and it worked tonight, and they played well, so give them credit.
“The game plan was good, and they won the game. That’s it.”
CLIMBING ANOTHER LIST
Harden passed Maurice Cheeks (7,392) for 15th place on the NBA’s career assists list during the second quarter.
