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Clippers Miss Guards Defensively In Loss In Shenzhen

Rowan Kavner

SHENZHEN, China – The Clippers knew competing with nine new players was going to be a slow process as they got acquainted with one another.

Add injuries to Chris Paul (fractured finger) and Austin Rivers (mouth), and even a near triple-double from Blake Griffin and a first-half shooting clinic from J.J. Redick weren’t enough in a 106-94 loss to the Hornets on Sunday in the first ever game in Shenzhen.

“They’re our two best defensive guards,” Doc Rivers said, “and it showed in pick-and-roll coverage in a big way today.”

Griffin dished out the majority of assists with the guard duo out, finishing with 13 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. But it was at the other end that their absence stood out to Rivers, as the Clippers couldn’t stop the Hornets in the first half or down the stretch.

The Clippers let the Hornets shoot 48.2 percent while the Clippers shot just 43.5 percent from the floor. The discrepancy was worse on the bench, as the Clippers’ reserves shot just 36.6 percent and let the Hornets’ reserves shoot 50 percent for the game.

Redick had 21 points in the first half and finished with 23, going 9-of-16 from the floor. He was responsible for most of the Clippers’ scoring early, ending the first quarter with 16 of the Clippers’ 28 points.

But by then, Charlotte had already built a sizable lead, as the Clippers allowed 37 first quarter points and played catch up the rest of the way.

“Every time I step on the floor I’d like to play well, but I’ve learned it’s not about me,” Redick said. “I want our team to play well. I think the biggest adjustment we have to make after the first two games is we have to play harder.”

The Hornets got the lead to 12 in the second quarter when a lineup featuring Lance Stephenson with the starters cut the lead down and eventually tied the game at 55, but the Hornets added two more points before halftime and kept adding to the lead early in the third quarter.

Charlotte held the advantage throughout the third quarter and entered the fourth with an eight-point advantage.

“We had a few guys tonight guard point guards when it’s not natural for them to guard point guards,” Redick said. “For a guy comfortable and familiar with guarding wings, it’s an adjustment.”

While it was the defense that hurt the Clippers in the first half, it was their offense that slowed the next half. The Clippers had 77 points after three quarters and were at only 80 halfway through the fourth, which wouldn’t be enough to chip into a Hornets lead with kept growing, as the Hornets led by as many as 19 in the final quarter.

“I was not happy with the way anybody played tonight,” Doc Rivers said. “I thought Charlotte played so much harder than us and with a better spirit, so it’s going to take us time, and it’s a work in progress.”

First Game In Shenzhen

Before starting the question portion of their postgame press conferences, both Doc Rivers and Redick made it a point to compliment the city of Shenzhen.

“We had a terrific time here in Shenzhen,” Rivers said. “It’s just a fabulous city. When you’re over at home and someone tells you, you have to leave to come somewhere else, you’re usually not happy about it. But this was wonderful. This has been a great experience for our team.”

Redick called it an honor to play in the first ever game in Shenzhen.

“We’ve had an incredible few days here,” Redick said. “It was an unbelievable experience.”

NOTES: Doc Rivers said he hopes Paul can play in Shanghai, but the team will be cautious with the injury to Paul’s finger … Pablo Prigioni started at point guard for Paul, with Jamal Crawford also getting early minutes at the position … Wesley Johnson started at small forward … Branden Dawson was the only player other than Paul and Austin Rivers not to enter the game … Josh Smith had 14 points in 15 minutes … The Clippers only shot 15 free throws while letting the Hornets shoot 28 … The Clippers now fly to Shanghai for their game Wednesday …