Chris Paul/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers on Wednesday morning finished their week-long trip to China by getting routed 113-71 by the Charlotte Hornets in Shanghai. The Hornets defeated the Clippers 106-94 four days earlier in Shenzhen.
The Clippers are now 1-3 and will finish their exhibition season with games Tuesday and Thursday against Golden State and Portland, respectively, at Staples Center. The Clippers open the regular season Oct. 28 at Sacramento.
The Clippers on Wednesday morning trailed the Hornets by just a 56-51 count at halftime, but the Clippers were outscored 57-20 in the second half. That’s right, the Clippers scored only 20 points in the half – just eight in the third quarter.
Chris Paul, playing with a fractured left index finger, led the Clippers with 17 points and six assists. Blake Griffin scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, but he was the only other Clippers player to score in double figures.
The Clippers shot just 35.9 percent from the field, and Paul Pierce was 0 of 5 off the bench. J.J. Redick and Austin Rivers both shot 2 of 7 with DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Johnson both shooting 1 of 5. Josh Smith had nine points, four rebounds and three steals.
The Clippers shot just 17.4 percent (4 of 23) from 3-point range. They were out-rebounded 55-40 and have been out-rebounded in all four exhibition games.
Al Jefferson led Charlotte (4-0) with 17 points, Nicolas Batum had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Jeremy Lin scored 13.
The Hornets shot 56 percent (14 of 25) from 3-point range.
