After leading by 14 points, the Clippers almost got robbed at home by the Raptors. It came down to nothing, a missed shot from Jakob Poeltl at the last second and a little lack of experience from Toronto in the finish. At the end, a third victory in a row at the Intuit Dome (105-103), while RJ Barrett's teammates have still not won away.
It was Norman Powell who put the Clippers on the right track with a 4-point basket from the start. Under the panels, Ivica Zubac demonstrates her hook shot, while James Harden works on his “step-back”. On the Raptors side, Davion Mitchell does a lot of good with his defense and his long-range skills. As often this season, the Raptors bench brings more desire. But the Clippers are not to be outdone and Kris Dunn punctuates a 7-0 with a huge dunk to give a six-point lead (28-22).
Kevin Porter Jr takes over with long-range missiles, and the Clippers escape (45-31). On the Toronto side, it is once again the bench that makes the best impression with Jamison Battle to stop the bleeding then Mitchell, again, to cut through the entire defense on a coast-to-coast. At the break, the Clippers maintain a short lead (52-47).
Quickley's thunderous return
Returning from the locker room, Zubac under the circle, and Powell from afar continue their work, but the Clippers defense remains very static in the face of the movements of a Gradey Dick or a drive from RJ Barrett. The Raptors stay in contact (64-60) until Harden gets angry, with his usual “step-back” 3-pointer. Mann imitates Mitchell for the coast-to-coast, and the Clippers finally take off (81-70).
The Porter-Dunn duo takes care of maintaining the gap, but a Raptor prepares for the hold-up. This is Immanuel Quickley. After eight matches in the infirmary, the former leader of the Knicks flies through the last quarter with his speed and his skill from afar, and when he is not distributing the caviar, it is he who equalizes at 3-points ( 102-102). There are 39 seconds left to play. The Clippers waste shots and Quickley misses the layup to go in front! The Raptors have just missed the holdup, and the Clippers win by two small points (105-103).
What to remember
– Little arms. In the final minute, Norman Powell and James Harden missed three free throws. Instead of taking cover, the Clippers trembled until the last second.
– The Raptors never give up. Six of Toronto's ten games were played with a gap of six points or less. Unfortunately, Barrett's partners only won one close game out of six, and that was against the Kings.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
