:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68871323/1231366170.0.jpg)
The Agua Caliente Clippers’ losing streak in the G League bubble is now three games, after they fell 101-94 to the Long Island Nets Wednesday in Orlando.
The team’s cohesion fell apart in the 2nd half, as their collective shooting touch failed them too many times, but this is a development team, and Jordan Ford in particular posted a strong performance for the Clippers on the night.
Paul Hewitt’s Clippers starting five on the night was James Palmer Jr., J.J. Avila, Emanuel Terry, Tyrone Wallace and Jahmi’us Ramsey. Amir Coffey remained unavailable as he quarantined after his stint with the LA Clippers.
The game was tight early, with the Clippers leading by two, 25-23, after the 1st quarter. In the 2nd quarter, they started to pull ahead, but the first half ended with another tight score, Long Island grabbing the lead just before the end of the half before Jalen Smith hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Clippers a 57-55 lead.
.@thejalen_smith with the casual buzzer beater@ACClippers heading into the second half with the lead pic.twitter.com/SsSmGi6ccA
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) February 25, 2021
Ford led the way with 14 points at the half for the Clippers, with Palmer right behind with 13.
From there, it got more bumpy for the Clippers, as the Nets pulled ahead in the 3rd quarter to lead it 84-75.
But Agua Caliente battled and came within six points midway through the 4th quarter. But their inability to hit free throws down the stretch cost them. Wallace led Agua Caliente’s scorers on the night with 20 points, but he missed all seven of his 3-point attempts and missed three of his five free-throws. And with free throws in the G League being two-for-ones for most of the game, those misses proved even more costly. Still, he had 20 points and nine rebounds, while Ford was tidy with his shooting in getting 19 in the game, and Terry also nearly posting a double-double, with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Agua Caliente are off Thursday, before they get morning basketball again on Friday, when they take on the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the Orlando bubble. The game is scheduled for 8 am PT, but good news — you can watch it live or on demand on ESPN+.