The last game of the NBA's five on Christmas was shaping up to be the best, at least through three quarters.
The Los Angeles Clippers were up 73-70 on the Golden State Warriors after 36 minutes, and used a dominant 27-16 fourth quarter, punctuated by a 19-3 run, to win 100-86, securing their eighth straight victory at home.
It's the Clippers' fourth straight regular-season win over the Warriors, all of them coming by double digits.
Here's what you need to know:
- It's official: the Warriors are struggling. Golden State's lost two in a row (both at the Staples Center) and three of five after starting the season 21-2.
- The 14-point loss was the worst of the season for the Dubs, who shot a season-low 23 percent from the floor in the fourth quarter (5-of-22, including 1-of-10 from 3-point range).
- All five Warriors starters ended up scoring in double figures, led by Klay Thompson's 15 points, but it was a struggle offensively all night for Golden State, who shot 42.5 percent from the floor, and 21.4 percent from 3-point range.
- "We're out of whack right now offensively," said Steve Kerr.
- Chris Paul set the tone for the Clippers, scoring 22 points of 7-of-18 shooting, adding seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
- While Blake Griffin mostly struggled offensively, finishing with 18 points on 5-of-16 shooting, he was a beast on the glass, collecting 15 rebounds and finishing with six assists.
- Jamal Crawford was huge off the bench for L.A., finishing with 24 points - as many as the Warriors' bench combined.
- Golden State remain atop the Western Conference, though by only a game over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Warriors are home to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
- The 20-10 Clippers are tied with the Dallas Mavericks for fifth in the West, and host the Toronto Raptors on Saturday afternoon.