Things got a bit heated between the Clippers’ Jamal Crawford, right, and the Raptors’ Patrick Patterson during the first half of Sunday’s game at Toronto, won 112-94 by the Raptors. They are separated by referee Bennie Adams/AP photo by Frank Gunn
– This loss makes the Clippers 1-2 on this East Coast swing with games Tuesday at Indiana and Wednesday at Atlanta still to come. The Clippers (28-16) are now 11-3 without Blake Griffin, who could return at Indiana.
– Coach Doc Rivers always talks about this being “a make-miss league.” Well, the Clippers shot a respectable 44.7 percent overall, but just 30.8 (8 of 26) from 3-point range. The Raptors shot 49.4 percent, 54.5 (12 of 22) from beyond the arc. Since both teams made 18 free throws, it was from the field where the Clippers lost this game.
– Chris Paul came in averaging 22.4 points, 10.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals over his previous five games. He had 23 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and two steals in this one, staying right in line with those impressive numbers. He did have four of the team’s 13 turnovers. But again, he’s the point guard.
– Lance Stephenson shot 4 of 4 and Austin Rivers 4 of 8. Otherwise, the bench struggled from the field. Jamal Crawford shot 1 of 6 and Wesley Johnson was 2 of 7, all of his field-goal attempts coming from 3-point range. That’s not to mention Rivers and Pablo Prigioni had three turnovers apiece; Prigioni only played eight minutes.
– DeAndre Jordan led the Clippers with 13 rebounds. But no one else had more than five, which was Paul Pierce’s total. Consequently, the Clippers were outrebounded 44-34.