In the last two weeks, as the Clippers built a seven-game winning streak, they have produced stretches of basketball that have appeared stunningly effortless: passes swinging from one side of the court to the other, shots falling at NBA-best rates and furious second-half efforts that churned out four consecutive victories by at least 14 points.
About all that was the same Sunday, during a game that was more struggle than statement, was the result.
Already down one significant contributor before tipoff, they lost another at halftime. Their league-best three-point shooting never quite clicked. Their star tandem operated at only half of its power, to the point that Paul George, who struggled to 11 points on four-for-13 shooting, was left on the bench during the final 4 minutes, 31 seconds even as Oklahoma City scored 11 unanswered points to pull within six points with 96 seconds to play.