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Report: Josh Smith, Clippers coach engage in heated argument after loss

Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

A third straight loss for the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, courtesy of the Toronto Raptors, was enough for at least one player to lose his cool in a big way.

Forward Josh Smith and an unnamed Clippers coach engaged in a profanity-laden argument in the locker room postgame, according to the Orange County Register's Dan Woike.

"It's (like any) locker room after you lose and play like that. Guys are upset," head coach Doc Rivers said about the incident. "That’s about it."

The Clippers - who were cold as ice from the field as they shot 39.2 percent - trailed by 29 points at halftime. They cut Toronto's lead to just six in the fourth quarter before DeMar DeRozan and company pulled away for good.

Smith grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots, but was a non-factor on offense, scoring just two points in 14 minutes off the bench. Working under a one-year contract, "J-Smoove" has struggled to be a consistent presence for Rivers' second unit, averaging 4.9 points in 14.8 minutes per game.

The loss drops the Clippers to 6-7 on the season - their worst start since All-Star point guard Chris Paul joined the team in 2011.

"It's pretty frustrating," Blake Griffin said. "We've dropped three in a row. I think it's pretty normal to be frustrated. But, we can't let that frustration affect us negatively moving forward. I think we need to do a good job of sitting down, being real and understanding what the real problems are moving forward."

Los Angeles will look to get back on the winning path Tuesday night against the Nuggets in Denver.

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