A losing streak will end today, Saturday, when an inter-conference matchup between hosts, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Detroit Pistons take place at the Staples Center.
Following a hot start for the Clippers, they have lost four of their last five games and are currently riding a two-game losing skid, absorbing defeats to the Dallas Mavericks (118–108) and the Phoenix Suns (118–104).
In their loss to the Suns, the Clippers played without some of their key players with All-Star point guard Chris Paul nursing a groin injury while another starting guard in J.J. Redick was also out with back spasms.
But that was not just what Los Angeles had to deal with as All-Star forward Blake Griffin was ejected late in the second quarter of the game after receiving his second technical foul.
Griffin only played 16 minutes and tallied 11 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
Without Paul, Griffin, and Redick, two-time National Basketball Association (NBA) Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford lit up the scoring with 18 points off the bench to lead the Clippers.
Following Crawford was fellow reserve Wesley Johnson who had 14 points in a losing effort.
The defeat to Phoenix gave the Clippers a 5–4 record which is still good enough for the fifth spot in the Western Conference standings.
Meanwhile, the Pistons also had a great beginning in the 2015–16 season but have lost their past two outings against the defending champions the Golden State Warriors (109–95) and the Sacramento Kings (101–92).
In their loss to Sacramento, forward Marcus Morris and guard Reggie Jackson led Detroit in scoring as they recorded 16 points each.
Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 15 points while big man Andre Drummond, who is having a great season so far, contributed a double-double performance having 14 points and 17 rebounds.
The Pistons now hold a 5–3 record after Wednesday's setback against the Kings which places them sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.
The game between the Clippers and Pacers will be played today, Nov. 14, at 3:30 p.m. EST. To watch via live stream, click here.
