Clippers yell at each other in locker room following third straight loss

The Clippers players were disappointed, frustrated and upset. They had just dropped their third straight game, and as reporters sat in an interview room waiting for the coach to arrive, screams could be heard coming from the team’s locker room.

No one would reveal exactly what went on behind those closed doors, though J.J. Redick described the scene as “loud noises.”

“That’s for us in our locker room,” Chris Paul said after Sunday’s 91-80 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

For Clippers Coach Doc Rivers, the outpouring of emotion was ill-timed.

“I’d rather have the explosions during the game,” Rivers said. “After the game is too late.”

The Clippers have lost five of their last seven games, and their record is now below .500. It’s not where they thought they’d be after having nearly made the Western Conference Finals for the first time in their 45-year franchise history in May.

Blake Griffin said the frustration is not only normal, but that it can be productive.

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“Guys yell at each other, guys almost get in fights -- that didn’t happen this year -- but it just happens,” he said. “The better teams I’ve been on, I think the more confrontations and arguments there’s been because guys aren’t afraid to say something.”

Griffin couldn’t pinpoint exactly what is wrong with the team, though he said it may have to do with playing harder or having a greater sense of urgency. Redick said playing harder and executing the game plan are the team’s main issues.

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Raptors forward James Johnson is tied up by Clippers center DeAndre Jordan for a jump ball during the second half.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers Coach Doc Rivers questions a call in the second half of the game against the Raptors.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers guard J.J. Redick slips past Raptors forwards Terrence Ross, left, and Luis Scola for a layup in the first half.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers point guard Chris Paul tries to cut off a drive by Raptors guard Corey Joseph during the first half.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers forward Paul Pierce and Raptors forward Luis Scola battle for a loose ball in the first half Sunday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Raptors guard Kyle Lowry tumbles to the court as he reaches for a loose ball between Clippers forwards Blake Griffin (32) and Wesley Johnson in the second half Sunday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Raptors guard Cory Joseph and Clippers forward Josh Smith battle for a rebound in the second half.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) pulls up for a shot over Clippers forward Blake Griffin and guard Austin Rivers in the second half.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan has his reverse layup challenged by Clippers center DeAndre Jordan in the first half.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Clippers forward Paul Pierce tries to score inside against Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll in the first half.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Clippers forward Lance Stephenson is hit in the face by Raptors forward Terrence Ross while trying to make a pass in the first half Sunday at Staples Center.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Clippers center DeAndre Jordan dunks against the Raptors in the first half Sunday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

If effort is the issue, Rivers was quick to shoulder the responsibility.

“That’s on me too because I have to figure out a way of getting them to do that,” Rivers said.

Griffin said that Sunday’s fireworks were normal for a team with championship aspirations that’s wallowing in a rut, and he said he hopes it will spark a conversation that could lead to some real change.

“I think we need to do a good job of sitting down, being real and understanding what the real problems are moving forward,” Griffin said.

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