LeBron James of the Cavaliers celebrates during his team’s 114-90 victory over the Clippers on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center/Staff photo by Stephen Carr
With their 114-90 victory Sunday over the Clippers at Staples Center, the Cleveland Cavaliers won the season series 2-0. The Cavs are now 5-1 against the Clippers during coach Doc Rivers’ coaching tenure with the Clippers. Moreover, Cleveland is 16-3 against the Clippers since 2006-07, 7-2 at Staples Center.
Reserve guard Austin Rivers, who came to the Clippers in January 2015, can’t stand it.
“(Today’s game) is embarrassing,” the younger Rivers said post-game. “There is no other way to put it; it is embarrassing. For whatever reason, we have played them and they have given us problems. I do not know what it is that they think they have a mental edge over us. They feel too comfortable playing with us. They are extremely comfortable against us for whatever reason.
“So that has to change if we expect to win a championship. Obviously, that is a lot of steps away. We have to get past first round, second round, third round.”
The Cavs (47-18) are the top team in the East and wouldn’t play the Clippers unless both teams reach the NBA Finals. The Clippers (42-23) are currently fourth in the West.
The Clippers next play Tuesday at San Antonio in the first of a five-game road trip.