A game-ending buzzer-beater by Lou Williams closed the game for the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 119-116 after blowing a 10-point lead to the Nets with under one minute remaining in the game.
Jarrett Allen’s cutting dunk tied the game at 116-116 with five seconds to go. On an out of timeout play, Patrick Beverley threw the ball in play to Danilo Gallinari who set Williams up for the last shot of regulation with a pass and screen.
Coming off the Gallinari screen, Williams hit a 28 feet three-pointer to give the Clippers the edge over the Nets.
It was a bad effort and lack of energy on the Clippers’ side in the first half. Los Angeles played sluggish to start while Brooklyn was full of energy. Brooklyn did not look like a team that just played in Utah the night before.
The offense for the Clippers was very stagnant as there was not much ball movement and their defense was not up to par as the team was scrambling on that side of the ball. The Clippers did get some good looks on shots that just would not fall in their favor.
Los Angeles went down early in the first quarter but went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 14 with 6:21 remaining in the quarter. This was the start of the many runs that both teams would go through within the contest.
The transition defense for the Clippers was horrible as they allowed the Nets to take control throughout the first quarter. The Nets were physical early and had their way with the Clippers. Brooklyn led 30-32 at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter was still bad for Los Angeles as they were struggling to score in the paint. Brooklyn was on a 21-7 scoring run as they held a double-digit lead at 44-27 with 8:26 on the clock behind an Ed Davis lay-up.
Despite not getting any good offensive possessions, the Clippers were able to get to the free throw line. In the second quarter, the Clippers were 7-8 from the line. Landry Shamet’s free throws got Los Angeles within 15 as Brooklyn led 48-33.
Midway through the second, the Clippers started to create some momentum as they were in the midst of a 10-2 run that was highlighted by a Montrezl Harrell shot in the paint. Los Angeles continued their run throughout the rest of the quarter to cut into their deficit.
Gallinari’s three-pointer brought the Clippers within eight as the Nets’ lead was 52-44 at the 3:54 mark of the quarter. The Clippers continued to find their groove as their defense picked up which led to good offensive possessions.
Shamet’s running three-pointer gave Los Angeles its first lead of the game as they were up by one, 54-55. The Clippers finished the quarter and first half with a five-point 60-55 lead on a 33-9 run.
Los Angeles let Brooklyn back in the game despite scoring nine points through about four minutes of play in the third quarter. D’Angelo Russell tied the game at 77-77 for the Nets with 4:38 remaining in the quarter.
The Clippers could not take care of the ball well as the Nets took advantage and dominated on offense. It was a back and forth game under the last two minutes of the quarter as the game was tied 82-82 at the 2:02 mark then 87 all with just 30 seconds remaining.
There were many more runs in the fourth quarter. The Nets went on a 10-0 run early in the quarter as the Clippers continued to hold on their lead. Once the Nets chipped at the lead, the pressure was on for the Clippers to try to get the win in a close game.
The game-winning shot by Williams was part of his 11 points in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t a great shooting game for him, but he shined for the Clippers when it mattered. Williams finished the game with 25 points on 8-16 field goals, six rebounds, and two assists.
Gallinari and Harrell also contributed 20 points apiece in the win. Gallinari had a productive first half as he led the Clippers in scoring going into halftime. Harrell continued to give the Clippers an energy boost on the floor throughout the game.
The rookies in Shamet and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed when it was needed for the Clippers as they both had 14 points. Shamet was hot from three especially in the first half as he was 3-5 from three-point range. Gilgeous-Alexander also shot some quality three-pointers in the game and had a team-high of 10 assists. This was Gilgeous-Alexander’s first double-double game of his career.
The Clippers’ five-game homestand comes to an end on Tuesday evening as they face the Indiana Pacers. Los Angeles is still in the hunt to secure a place in the postseason so every game matters for them. The Clippers now move to 41-30 on the season.
