The Los Angeles Clippers humiliated the Boston Celtics 115-96 on their own court.
Paul George added 17 points for Los Angeles, while Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points in just 29 minutes. With a 21-0 run in the third quarter, the Clippers dominated the game and gained their fifth straight victory, a small measure of retaliation for their 37-point home loss to the Celtics in December.
According to Jay King of The Athletic, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla determined the main reason for the defeat following the game:
“Joe Mazzulla stated that the Clippers effectively disrupted the Celtics’ pass timing by using their active hands.”
Mazzulla was more talking about the time and effort Boston was spending trying to get into its sets and execute, even though the Clippers were able to force 11 turnovers from the Celtics.
The Celtics, who had started the season 20-0 at TD Garden, were losing for just the second time at home, and it was their most lopsided defeat of the year.
Big man Kristaps Porzingis was not available for the Celtics due to a left ankle ailment. Although Porzingis isn’t anticipated to miss much time, according to Mazzulla, his absence against the Clippers was felt greatly as Boston was forced to rely on jump shots.
The Celtics have a chance to regroup tomorrow before taking on the New Orleans Pelicans at home on Monday. Mazzulla and company will be hoping that Porzingis’ left ankle injury heals quickly so that he’s able to provide an interior presence against the Pelicans’ bigs.
