The Toronto Raptors couldn’t repeat the success from yesterday and leave the Staples Center with a win. LA Clippers were just too big of a task for Nick Nurse’s team. The reigning champs are facing too many adversities at the moment. The final result was 98-88 for the hosts, whose Kawhi Leonard played the first game against his old team.
The Claw didn’t impress as he did over the previous few games, and although he ended the night near triple-double, we can say that he struggled. Leonard scored 12 points in 35 minutes, shooting 2-for-11 from the field, and adding 11 boards and 9 assists. If it weren’t for free-throws, were he scored 8 of 9 attempts, this would be one of the worst performances in his career.
“As soon as I walked across half-court, they tried to get the ball out of my hands,” he said. “They did a great job on me defending and sending an extra body. It got me better, and it’s going to get my teammates better.”
But he had the help of his teammates, who along with the reigning NBA Finals MVP, played good defense in the last period, and were there to fill the gaps in the offense.
The Raptors opened the game better, and won the first and the third period, but were unable to win the contest. They had a small lead coming up into the final period, but a 17-6 series of the home team changed things, pushing the Clippers ahead. The Canadian side scored just 10 points over the last 12 minutes, and that was, in fact, the key reason for their defeat. Also, it needs to be mentioned that the hosts had 66 rebounds, compared to just 38 of the Raptors, who also allowed 20 offensive boards.
It was apparent that the fatigue broke Nurse’s team, who not only played a second of back-to-back nights, but also used just nine guys in their rotation. When we add that Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka weren’t among those nine players, a loss in this one isn’t such a big surprise.
“That’s a hell of a team to play on a back-to-back short-handed,” Fred VanVleet said. “Just kind of ran ourselves into the mud and give those guys credit, they closed it out.”
The Raptors (7-3) point guard had 14 points and 8 dimes, hitting just one three in six attempts. Pascal Siakam had 16 points and 10 boards, with the same productivity from downtown, while Norman Powell added 15 buckets. He, too, had an awful three-point percentage, 1 for 5. Chris Boucher delivered 13 off the bench.
For the Clippers (7-3), Lou Williams posted a team-high with 21 points. Montrezl Harrell had a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards, Patrick Paterson had 12 points, JaMychal Green had 10 points and 12 rebounds, not hitting a single three in five shots.
Kawhi and the boys are meeting the Houston Rockets on the road next, this Wednesday, and go to New Orleans afterward. Toronto has two more road games, vs. Trail Blazers also on Wednesday and against the Mavericks three days after.
