Celtics’ 3-Point Avalanche Quenches Clippers’ Win Streak

The Los Angeles Clippers’ impressive 10-game win streak was abruptly halted on Friday night as the Boston Celtics unleashed a barrage of three-pointers to secure a 125-116 victory. The Celtics’ long-range shooting prowess proved too much for the Clippers, who had dominated their previous opponents with their own perimeter shooting.

A Tale of Three-Pointers

The Celtics drained 23 three-pointers on 47 attempts, a staggering 48.9% success rate. Jayson Tatum led the charge with six made threes, while Jaylen Brown and Al Horford added five each. In contrast, the Clippers connected on only 12 threes of their 36 attempts, shooting a mere 33.3%. This disparity in three-point shooting proved to be the decisive factor in the game.

Celtics’ Dominance from Deep

The Celtics have emerged as one of the most prolific three-point shooting teams in the NBA this season. They currently rank third in the league in three-pointers made and sixth in three-point percentage. Their ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc has been a major catalyst for their success this season. In Friday’s game, the Celtics’ three-point barrage kept the Clippers at bay, preventing them from mounting a serious challenge.

Clippers’ Uncharacteristic Slump

The Clippers have been one of the best three-point shooting teams in the league this season, but they struggled mightily in this game. Their 33.3% shooting from three-point range was their second-worst performance of the season. Paul George, who averages 4.2 made threes per game, was held to just 1-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Kawhi Leonard, who has been a consistent three-point threat, also struggled, shooting 2-of-8 from three.

Impact of Defensive Lapses

In addition to their shooting woes, the Clippers were also guilty of several defensive lapses that allowed the Celtics to get open looks from three-point range. The Celtics’ movement off the ball created confusion in the Clippers’ defense, and they were often caught scrambling to close out on shooters. The Celtics capitalized on these breakdowns, knocking down several uncontested threes.

Significance of the Loss

The loss snapped the Clippers’ 10-game win streak and dropped their record to 28-17. The defeat also marked their first loss at home since December 4. While the Clippers remain one of the top teams in the Western Conference, their loss to the Celtics highlights their vulnerability when they struggle to shoot the ball from beyond the arc.

Conclusion

The Celtics’ three-point barrage quenched the Clippers’ win streak in a convincing fashion. The Celtics’ long-range shooting prowess was simply too much for the Clippers to overcome. The loss serves as a reminder that even the best teams can be vulnerable when they struggle to shoot the ball from beyond the arc. The Clippers will need to regroup quickly and find a way to improve their three-point shooting if they want to continue contending for a championship.