The trip out West for Kyrie Irving and the Celtics had seemingly worked wonders for the team. They defeated the Warriors in blowout fashion, won a close rock-fight with the Kings the next night, and dominated LeBron’s Lakers on Saturday. Given the mounting frustration of everything that came before this, it was exactly what this team needed.
But one thing remained an unfortunate constant for the Green in their California finale Monday: When the Celtics lose, the Celtics lose, as they were dominated by the Clippers to the tune of 140-115 at the Staples Center.
same ???? pic.twitter.com/HTXU1Zpu9e
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 12, 2019
Lou Williams led the way for the Clips in this one, with 34 points off the Los Angeles bench behind a 14-for-20 shooting night.
It was enough for the 32-year-old Williams to pass Dell Curry as the most productive bench scorer in NBA history, and his 34 points were the ninth-most any bench player has scored in a single game against Boston.
The Clippers tonight...
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) March 12, 2019
* Score 140 points...most against the Celtics in 25 years (April, 1994)
* Shoot 60.9%...best against the Celtics in 5 years (April 2014)
* Outrebound the Celtics by 19..matching a season-low for Boston.
* Led by 30...2nd largest Celtics deficit this year
The 140 points allowed were the most surrendered by the Celtics since Apr. 1994, while the Clippers’ 61.6 field goal percentage against the Celtics was the highest allowed by the C’s since Apr. 2014.
After the game, Irving admitted that the Celtics ‘need to get out of Los Angeles’ for their own good.
(‘Ya think?)
The Celtics are back to work Thursday night at home against the Sacramento Kings.