Ime Udoka frustrated by Celtics ‘inconsistency’ as turnovers prove costly vs. Clippers

The Boston Celtics turned the ball over a costly 23 times in their three-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. 

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Boston had only done that six times in the last ten years. 

Playing without Jaylen Brown, who is out with a hamstring injury, Jayson Tatum stepped up, scoring 29 points to go with ten rebounds, but he also had six of the team’s 23 turnovers. 

Boston went on an 8-0 run to claw their way back from a 21-point deficit to draw within five with just 3:59 left in regulation, but ultimately it was their turnovers that cost them the game. They were within a point in the last ten seconds of the game allowing Los Angeles to hold on. 

“We didn’t do ourselves any favors by just handing them points,” Boston coach Ime Udoka said.

Boston gave up 33 points off turnovers. Facing a Clippers team playing without Paul George, the Celtics gave up 63 points in the first half – allowing the Clippers to shoot 55 percent from the floor, and gave up 30 points inside the paint as well. 

“The effort and inconsistency is frustrating at times,” Udoka said.

The Clippers got a career game from Brandon Boston Jr, who finished with 27 points, four steals, and five made 3-point field goals. 

The Celtics are now  just 1-3 on their road trip heading into Phoenix, followed by home games against Milwaukee and Golden State. If the Celtics repeat their performance from tonight, it could get real ugly for the over the next three games.