The nine-point margin doesn't convey the fact that this is a very winnable game for the Wizards. Washington fell behind early, It was as close as a one-point game with four minutes left to go in the half, but the Clippers closed out the second quarter on a 13-5 run and lead by a score of 58-49 at the break.
John Wall continues to look for his shot, leading the Wizards with 18 points and has taken more than 35 percent of the Wizards field goal attempts. It's not like he's forcing anything though, Wall is shooting better than 50 percent from the field (8-for-15 FG, 2-for-3 FT).
Meanwhile, Jordan Crawford -- who had been averaging 20 points a game in a recent streak -- is just 1-for-8 from the field with four points. He does have five assists.
The Clippers have shot 18 free throws (compared to 11 for the Wizards) and made all 18 attempts. Blake Griffin (15 points), Chris Kaman (16 points), and Eric Gordon (17 points) have paced the Los Angeles offense. That trifecta is shooting a combined 17-for-24 from the field.
The Wizards climbed back into this game after falling behind early only to watch that lead slip away down the stretch. The third quarter will be key as far as if the Wizards pack it in or fight back into a game that is there for the taking.