Clippers blow a 22-point lead, falling to Pacers for third straight loss

The message from Clippers coach Tyronn Lue to his group was clear: Play hard and compete.

After seeing his players struggle in the previous three games — including two losses — Lue insisted they perform at a higher level against the fast-paced Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome.

Lue wasn’t going to accept any excuses, even if the Clippers were playing shorthanded because of two trades made earlier in the day.

In what became a topsy-turvy game, the Clippers opened a 22-point lead in the second quarter, fell behind by 13 in the third, then rallied late before losing, 119-112.

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Kawhi Leonard played a season-high 33 minutes and scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, but that wasn’t enough to save the Clippers from their third consecutive loss.

“We had the right intent,” Lue said. “I thought we played hard. We played hard and competed with a team that plays fast and usually puts up a lot of numbers, a lot of points. And so, you can take this one but still got to learn from it and be better.”

Ivica Zubac had a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds and James Harden had 22 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

But 19 turnovers coupled with their inability to stop guard Tyrese Haliburton doomed the Clippers. Haliburton scored nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter. He had two steals in the fourth and was three for five from the field. In addition, Pascal Siakam torched the Clippers for 33 points and 11 rebounds.

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“We just got to take care of the ball, really,” said Leonard, who had five turnovers. “The next guy got to be ready to be available, and just better passes, really.

“They are a fast-paced team. They did a great job causing turnovers, picking up full court and getting us uncomfortable. So, you got to give them credit.”

Before the game, the Clippers (28-23) traded fan favorite Terance Mann and guard Bones Hyland to the Atlanta Hawks for guard Bogdan Bogdanovic and three second-round draft picks. They also traded reserve guard Kevin Porter Jr. to the Milwaukee Bucks for young wing MarJon Beauchamp.

The Clippers have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, ranking third in points given up (107.5), second in defensive rating (108.2) and second in steals (10.2). Still, they knew their defense would be pushed by the Pacers.

The Pacers came to L.A. ranked 10th in scoring (107.5), fourth in field-goal percentage (49.1%) and ninth in three-point shooting (36.9%).

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The Clippers started strong, holding the Pacers to 22 points on 27.6% shooting in the first quarter while scoring 42 points.

Indiana center Myles Turner took a forearm to the face and had to be helped back to the locker room with 6:13 left in the quarter. He later was ruled out for a concussion evaluation.

But the Pacers (29-21) rallied, taking a 64-61 lead at halftime by outscoring the Clippers 42-19 in the second quarter.

The Clippers battled back and led 105-100 before Siakam and Haliburton hit back-to-back threes to start a 14-0 run.

“I didn’t mind tonight’s game,” Lue said. “You are not going to win every game, but some things we can learn. Just taking care of the basketball. So, we had the lead, a big lead, turn the ball over, turn the ball over, turn the ball over. They got back in the game. Take the lead in the fourth quarter after clawing back, playing great defense, good offense and then we got a turnover at half court and they get a dunk and we come back the next play and the same thing.”