Clippers stop playing defense and then need to hang on in Miami

Heat guard Goran Dragic drives to the basket past Clippers guard J.J. Redick during the second half in Miami on Dec. 16.

Staff Writer

Dec. 16, 2016 9:40 PM PT

Reporting from MIAMI —

The Clippers messed with fate Friday night, nearly losing complete control of a game they seemed to have under control because of porous fourth-quarter defense.

They gave up 29 points in the fourth and saw their 16-point third-quarter lead cut to one point late in the fourth quarter before holding on for a 102-98 win over the Miami Heat Friday night at American Airlines Arena.

“We gave up 29 points … so they deserved to get back in it,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said.

Things started to really change when Austin Rivers fouled Miami’s Josh Richardson after he scored. Richardson made the free throw to cut the Clippers’ lead to 99-96 with 13.2 seconds left.

Then after calling two time outs, one a 20-second time because he couldn’t get the ball inbound, Rivers threw the ball away with 12.4 seconds left trying to pass to J.J. Redick.

After Rivers intentionally fouled Goran Dragic so he couldn’t get off a three-pointer, the Heat guard made both free throws to cut the Clippers’ lead to 99-98.

Chris Paul then made the first of two free throws. But DeAndre Jordan grabbed the offensive rebound and scored for the final margin.

Clippers honor Craig Sager

The Clippers wore T-shirts to honor Craig Sager, the TNT sideline reporter who died Thursday, during the game against the Heat Friday night.

The front of the shirts said “Sager Strong” and the back had a quote from Sager that said, “Time is simply how you live your life.”

“Obviously it’s extremely sad,” Doc Rivers said. “I’ve known him for a long time. Unfortunately, we knew this was coming. He’s the most unselfish guy that I have ever been around. He did things that you don’t do on a sideline. He was a team player. He worked harder than anybody.”

Alan Anderson working on rhythm

Slowly and gradually, Alan Anderson is starting to get his rhythm back.

Anderson played in his fifth consecutive game, scoring four points Friday night.

He has been slowed by a left ankle injury that required surgery last season.

“I know my rhythm is going to come. It’s just a process,” Anderson said. “Coming off an injury like I did, you can’t really just force yourself out there and automatically think you’re going to be back to normal. It’s a process. That’s why I chose to be on a team like this so I didn’t have to rush right into playing the game. I could gradually build. I’ll be good.”