Clippers blow large lead as they continue a three-game skid against the Indiana Pacers

Los Angeles Clippers #2 Kawhi Leonard (F) is being defended by Indiana Pacer #43 PascalSiakam (PF).

Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1

INGLEWOOD, CA- The Los Angeles Clippers(28-23) squandered a 22-point lead last night against the visiting Indiana Pacers (29-21) as they were defeated 119-112.

The Clippers have now lost their third consecutive game after recently losing by 25 points at home to their crosstown rival the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

“To be up 20 and lose at home is a tough one to swallow,” Head Coach Tyronn Lue said when speaking with the media post-game.

Los Angeles established control early on and opened the game with a 13-2 run. Their lead ballooned into a 20-point lead as they closed the first quarter with three consecutive three-pointers to put them ahead 42-22.

The Pacers turned up their defensive pressure to start the second quarter their bench sparked a 15-2 run that cut their deficit to 37-44.

The Clippers turned the ball over eight times in the second period, including six consecutive trips down the court that allowed the Pacers to take a 64-61 lead into halftime.

“You can't have six turns in a row, six straight possessions it's just hard to win games that way” Lue added.

During the first half, Indiana made 23 of their 55 field goal attempts (41%) and connected on 9 of 22 three-point attempts (40%).

Los Angeles Clippers #1 James Harden (G) step-back three-point shot against Indian Pacer #0 Tyrese Haliburton (PG).

Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.

The Clippers shot 51% from the field (23 of 45) and 56% from three-point range (14 of 23) in the first half.

In the third period, Indiana was led by Pascal Siakam who scored 10 of his 33 points that helped the Pacers reach their largest lead of the game 76-63 with 8:16 left in the quarter.

James Harden hit his signature step-back three-pointer with 1:06 left in the third, putting the Clippers ahead 86-84. Los Angeles closed the quarter and took an 88-84 advantage to start the fourth quarter.

In the fourth, both teams continued to battle back and forth as the matchup remained close throughout the entire period. 

Tyrese Haliburton who had a relatively quiet night hit a stepback three-pointer with 02:44 left giving the Pacers a 106-105 lead that they never relinquished.

James Harden and Norman Powell both finished the game with 22 points. Kawahi Leonard finished with 19 points after playing a season-high 34 minutes.

The Clippers will now try to bounce back on Saturday as they host the visiting Utah Jazz at 7:30 at Intuit Dome.