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LA Clippers Fall Apart in 3rd Quarter in loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 30: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket and shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 30, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 30: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket and shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 30, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The LA Clippers fell apart in the third quarter after a stellar first half, causing them to drop last night’s game in Oklahoma City.

In the mist of an impressive start to the season, the Los Angeles Clippers’ fall short in overtaking the powerful Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder exemplified a comeback from their poor 1-4 record solidifying a 2-4 present record in the NBA. Finishing 110-128, the Clippers struggled down the stretch.

Oklahoma City Thunder came back to bite the Clippers after their loss the first go-around without Russell Westbrook.  Obviously, Westbrook changes their whole offensive dynamic. Not only was he a proliferated scorer against the Clippers but his right hand man, Paul George matched him. Both scoring an equal 32 points, Oklahoma broke open the gates after half. It seemed like the Clippers lost control of the momentum that had so vociferously been built into their system of play — against the highest level of teams.

First Half Success and Third Quarter Failure

The Los Angeles Clippers fought valiantly against the Thunder’s offensive firepower — at least through the first half. Throughout the first half, Danilo Gallinari effectively demonstrated why he is such a talented offensive shooter. Posting 27 points in 26 minutes of play, Danilo struck efficiently and effectively, doing everything he could to infatuate a Clipper win. Displaying his talented offense, Danilo showed what it means to be a scorer.

In addition, the other success the Clippers had was through first half defense. The Clippers stunned the Thunder by steals and causing turnovers, until that was reversed in the second half. Up by 13, the Clippers shifted their play-style from defensive reign over Oklahoma to turnover city and some how lost sight of the Clamp City mentality entering the second half. A perfect outcome could have come from a 67-54 halftime score, but eventually the Clippers lost the third quarter traumatically.

They managed to only score 10 points in the third and could not overcome the Thunder’s 39 point outburst.

Patrick Beverley‘s feud with Russell Westbrook

Although the Clippers lost tonight, we got to see the forever feud between Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley. It was always going to get chippy throughout the game, but it was chippy right through the start. It started with Russell gesticulating a rockabye baby celebration after his successful drive to the hoop on Beverley

In coercion, Beverley responded to Westbrook with the same celebration.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1057445236924911616

Beverley and Westbrook had a history of going at it before this game. It all started with his Houston years where he belatedly, “unintentionally” or “intentionally” injured Russell Westbrook in the playoff game. The exchange between the two players got so out of hand that they had to bring police on to separate them.

In all the Clippers unfortunately lost against the Thunder, but to some avail learned what it means to blow a lead quite resoundingly. The Clippers skillful start rendered room for improvement but none of the realm within losing big leads and having the opponent outscore with a 20-0 scoring run.

Look out for the Clippers to bounce back against another juggernaut in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers. The difficult road trek continues on for the Clippers as they look to hold on to a positive record.

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