Chris Paul on Clippers’ Slide: ‘We’ve Got to Stop Losing’

Chris Paul was vocal and angry following the LA Clippers’ latest defeat last night, and he says that the team must figure out a way to end its losing ways and fast. From the Daily News: “The Clippers had a nine-point halftime lead that evaporated in minutes, and there were several momentum swings. The Celtics scored nine consecutive points late in the fourth quarter – the final basket a 3-pointer by Paul Pierce with just under three minutes left. The real dagger was Kevin Garnett’s fadeaway from 20feet with 38 seconds left to seal the Clippers’ fate in Boston’s 94-85 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 19,464 at Staples Center. ‘We’ve got to get better,’ said Clippers point guard Chris Paul, who missed nine of his 12 shots and finished with 14 points. ‘We ain’t close enough and good enough. Whether you lose by one, five or 20, it doesn’t matter.’ Boston dominated the third quarter and held the Clippers to just 13 points. Their offense is stumbling and fumbling. Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said he tried to open up the floor for Paul, but there was no rhythm. ‘This was a game of runs, and we made the last one,’ Celtics guard Rajon Rondo said. The Clippers can’t seem to make that final run, especially not now. They’ve lost four of their past five games. They’ve lost the Pacific Division lead. They just can’t seem to lose this losing feeling. Even Paul’s presence hasn’t made a difference in this. ‘I’m not (accepting it) and I’m the starting point guard,’ Paul said. ‘That matters. In regards to accepting it, we’re not accepting it. We’ve got to stop losing.’ […] The Clippers have pulled their oh-so Clippers shenanigans, something that was always predicted this time of year but not expected anymore. This year was supposed to be different. […] The Clippers fell out of first place in the Pacific Division with Sunday’s loss to Golden State – in which they trailed by as many as 21 points. And the Lakers moved into first place with their Sunday win over Boston. The Clippers have fallen to fifth in the Western Conference, and something must change or the Clippers will continue to be the same old Clippers.”