For the second consecutive night, Adam Morrison made just about every shot he attempted and Eric Bledsoe was again showing the ability to wreck havoc on both ends of the floor.
But despite the duo’s efforts and solid performances from Terrico White and Antoine Wright, the Clippers’ Summer League team could not overcome an early 13-point deficit, and fell to the Lakers, 75-69, at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Morrison matched Lakers swingman Christian Eyenga with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting. The small forward, who turned 28 Thursday, is shooting 65.4% in the last two games for the Clippers (1-2).
“Adam is playing really well for us,” Head Coach Robert Pack said. “He's been effective from all spots on the floor. His line tonight was good all the way around. I think he's just in a good rhythm right now and he's knocking down shots.”
Bledsoe finished with eight points, six assists, and three steals, while Wright had 13 points, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, and White scored 10 off the bench.
The Lakers (1-4) never trailed, opening the game on a 22-9 run. But nine fourth quarter points from White helped spur a Clipper rally. He sandwiched a three-pointer from the right wing and a transition pull-up jumper around a dunk by forward Cameron Moore to pull the Clippers within four.
Your browser does not support iframes.
The teams traded baskets on the next two possessions, which included a tip in by rookie Larry Anderson who was making his Summer League debut. Morrison cut the Lakers’ lead to 66-64 with a right-handed runner along the baseline, but the Lakers answered with five consecutive points.
Still, the Clippers had a chance late. Bledsoe canned his usual flat-footed jumper from the right wing and after a stop on the other end, the 22-year-old point guard found Morrison in semi-transition for a unguarded wing three-pointer from two steps behind the line.
Morrison’s hoop came with 46 seconds to go, but Lakers guard Darius Morris recovered from a near steal by Bledsoe about 30 feet from the basket to draw a foul on Bledsoe from behind on a layup attempt. Morris made both free throws and Bledsoe missed a long three-pointer on the other end with just over 20 seconds left.
“I liked our effort tonight,” Pack said. “I thought we came out in the second half with good energy and fought our way back into the game. Down the stretch we just couldn't get stops or make buckets and that's what cost us the game.”
Forward Trey Thompkins missed his second consecutive game with a strained left Achilles and bruised left knee. He remained on the team’s bench, but was not in uniform.
With Thompkins and Travis Leslie (strained right calf) in street clothes, Bledsoe is the only player among the group who is a member of the Clippers’ regular-season roster. It’s clear the emphasis so far has been on the young guard improving his ability to run the offense. He took just six shots Thursday, making four, and lost out on several assist chances due to missed baskets by some of his teammates.
Two players who rarely missed were Morrison and Wright. The former top 15 draft picks, combined to make six of the Clippers’ eight three-pointers and nearly half of their team’s field goals.
“I've been real fortunate to be in good spots when guys get me the ball,” Morrison said. “I've been able to knock down shots and I think that's why guys are passing me the ball. I'm just gonna continue to go out there and give my best effort.
NOTES: It was the Lakers’ first win in five games, while the Clippers have alternated losses and wins through three games… Bledsoe and Hilton Armstrong combined for nine of the Clippers’ 15 turnovers… Center Gary McGhee had six rebounds in 13 minutes… The Clippers trailed 28-12 after the first quarter, but won each of the final three quarters… Pack’s starters stayed the same from Game 2 with Bledsoe and Wright in the backcourt, Morrison and Marcus Hubbard up front, and Armstrong at center.