OCEANSIDE, Calif. – After returning home from their road trip, the San Diego Clippers (3-2) fell to the Salt Lake City Stars (2-3) in a low scoring, 91-85, game at Frontwave Arena.
In the first quarter, the Clippers immediately saw a 14 point deficit, something fans have seen before earlier in the season. Again, the team is adjusting to a new rotation and it takes time to figure out.
It was also their first home game back since the big roster adjustment.
Cam Christie, who clearly emerged as the first scoring option, finished with 25 points (6-13 on 3 point field goals) as well as 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
Other than Christie, scoring was lacking in this matchup, evident in the scoreboard.
Kai Jones was called down from the Los Angeles Clippers. In his 32 minutes, he finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Still down in the second half, the Clip’s won the third quarter by 7 points, enough to give them a shot at winning the game. They couldn't, however, only win the fourth quarter by a single point. It really was the atrocious first quarter start that set San Diego back for the rest of the game.
Elijah Harkless, former member of the Clippers, had a team-high 23 points for the Stars in his return to Oceanside.
Interesting statistic to note as well, the Clippers held SLC to just 20% from beyond the arc, going 8 for 40 in the game. This felt like a game San Diego could have won, but didn’t capitalize on the misses.
The Clippers won’t have much time to talk about it though, as they stay at home to play the Texas Legends on January 9. They will play back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday.
Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. pacific for both games, and they’ll be at Frontwave Arena.