I was ready to give Julius Randle some praise for turning the his game around in the fourth to help us get into a position to win (which he did). He hit a step back, fouls Harrell to prevent an easy two (he misses both), scores on a second effort after what could've been called a travel...we end up within 7. Then after an RJ free throw, he comes back down on the fast break and finds Bullock for an open corner 3. Knicks are within 3 mostly due to Randle's effort.
Clippers call a timeout. If you rewatch, after this timeout the Clilppers commit to a strategy....go at Randle.
They immediatel attack him with Trez (unsuccessfully) but after regaining the ball, Mo Williams passes up a floater to Trez who is guarded by Randle for an open dunk.
The next play down, Randle's poor positioning pulls Morris off of Green for an open 3.
Two plays later Trez fakes a pass and Randle sleeps on him giving him a clear path to the rim (Knicks down 8)
Next play, Clips force (not really) the Knicks to switch Randle on to Lou Williams which thankfully leads to a turnover
Next play Trez attacks Randle who fouls him
Next play Clips force (not really) the Knicks to switch Randle on to Lou Williams who hits the quick three
Next play Randle willingly switches on to Lou Williams who hits a flip shot on him
The Clippers last five offensive plays of the game all had Randle as the primary defender, and four of the five led to points. That's not to say this loss is on him....but it's a problem when you get targeted at the end of games and you can't do anything about it