BOSTON, Dec. 30 (BUS): Eric Bledsoe scored 10 of 17 points in the fourth quarter, scoring 3 key points, to help the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Boston Celtics 91-82 on Wednesday night.
Marcus Morris scored 23 points and had 10 rebounds, and Terrence Mann and Luke Kennard also scored 17 points each with the Clippers. Los Angeles finished off a two-game sledge and completed a season sweep of the Celtics on a night when both clubs were short-handed, according to the Associated Press.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 30 points. Robert Williams scored 16 points and acquired 14 rebounds, and Alhorford added nine points with 10 rebounds.
The Clippers were without star striker Paul George for the third game in a row with a torn ligament in his right elbow that could keep him off the field for up to a month. But Los Angeles, losing five of six, topped most of the match.
Boston missed scoring leader Jason Tatum, who was placed on a list of COVID-19 health and safety protocols on Monday, and starting guard Marcus Smart, who was out with a hand injury.
Down 10 early in the third quarter, the Celtics used 12-2 halfway through the quarter to tie 57. The Clippers advanced 69-63 in the fourth.
Boston opened the fourth quarter 9-2, pulled back to 71-70 in a pair of free throws by Broderick Thomas, and led by one point over a dip by Romeo Langford with 9:30 left. The Clippers regained control, with Bledsoe hitting 3-pointers from the top key to a 86-78 lead with 2:05 left.
OUCH
Robert Williams needed a few minutes after landing hard and head first while diving for a loose ball with 5:49 remaining in fourth. Williams was able to get back on his feet and was greeted with appreciation for the rant as he headed into the locker room. Williams bounced back within a few minutes and got back in the game with 2:45 left.
Another review
Thomas hit a long three-pointer at the end of the first quarter, but officials ruled it was too late and the call was upheld after a video review between periods, leaving the Clippers ahead at 26-21.
The Clippers benefited from another video review after a foul-shooting challenge to Ivica Zupak that would have put Brown in the bad streak. Officials reversed the call after the review.
Hint
Clippers: Zwiback scored 14 rebounds. … Morris, who played two seasons with Boston, scored five of his first six shots and led all scorers with 12 points in the first quarter. The Clippers won their first game 114-111 on December 8 after being swept by Boston last season. … J. Reggie Jackson missed his fourth game in a row after being put on the COVID-19 safety protocols list last week. JJ Scrapp, F Musa Wright and J Brandon Boston Jr were on the protocol list, and Nicholas Batum missed his second game in a row with a right ankle sprain.
Celtics: In addition to missing Tatum for his second game of the season, Boston were also without J. Marcus Smart for the second game in a row due to a cut in his hand. Boston still has a long list of players on the Security Protocols list with five others – C Bruno Fernando, C Ines Freedom, JCJ Miles, F Aaron Nesmith and J Dennis Schroeder.
next one
Clippers: In Toronto on Friday night.
Celtics: Host Phoenix on Friday.