Clippers guard Paul George, center, shoots as Spurs guard Dejounte Murray, lower left, and forward Drew Eubanks defend during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey, right, shoots as San Antonio Spurs forward Drew Eubanks defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray, left, shoots as Clippers guard Reggie Jackson, center, watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers center Isaiah Hartenstein, right, shoots as San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White, left, tires to shoot as Clippers guard Brandon Boston Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Ivica Zubac of the Clippers dunks over Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray, left, shoots as Clippers guard Brandon Boston Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Paul George of the Clippers splits the defense of Keldon Johnson, center, and Derrick White of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Paul George of the Clippers splits the defense of Keldon Johnson and Derrick White of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Keldon Johnson and Derrick White of the San Antonio Spurs defend against a shot by Paul George of the Clippers during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Injured Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, center, sits on the bench during the first half of their game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray, left, goes up for a sunk as Clippers center Ivica Zubac watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Brandon Boston Jr. of the Clippers shoots past the defense of Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, right, shoots as Clippers guard Amir Coffey defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Paul George of the Clippers dribbles past the defense of Doug McDermott of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
San Antonio Spurs forward Drew Eubanks, right, shoots as Clippers center Isaiah Hartenstein defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Ivica Zubac of the Clippers battles Drew Eubanks of the San Antonio Spurs for a rebound during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Paul George, center, shoots as Spurs guard Dejounte Murray, lower left, and forward Drew Eubanks defend during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Reggie Jackson and Isaiah Hartenstein of the Clippers defend against a shot by Thaddeus Young of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ivica Zubac of the Clippers battles Devin Vassell of the San Antonio Spurs for a rebound during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Isaiah Hartenstein of the Clippers looks on after being fouled by the Spurs during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Drew Eubanks, left, and Derrick White of the San Antonio Spurs defend against the dribble of Paul George of the Clippers during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Luke Kennard of the Clippers sits on the court during the first half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Clippers’ Paul George talks with Luke Kennard during the first half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs strips Paul George of the Clippers of the ball during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs strips Paul George of the Clippers of the ball during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Reggie Jackson of the Clippers looks on during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Paul George of the Clippers dribbles past Tre Jones of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Paul George of the Clippers reacts after missing a shot during the first half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
San Antonio Spurs guard Lonnie Walker IV, left, tries to pass as Clippers guard Brandon Boston Jr. defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Paul George shoots as San Antonio Spurs forward Drew Eubanks (14) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich looks toward the scoreboard during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Clippers Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Brandon Boston Jr., right, shoots as San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, and San Antonio Spurs forward Thaddeus Young go after a rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers center Isaiah Hartenstein celebrates after the Clippers score during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward Thaddeus Young, center, shoots as Clippers guard Luke Kennard, left, and guard Amir Coffey defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Paul George goes after a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Derrick White of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles around the pick by Thaddeus Young of the San Antonio Spurs as Amir Coffey of the Clippers attempts to defend during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Isaiah Hartenstein of the Clippers reacts after a dunk as Thaddeus Young of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Isaiah Hartenstein of the Clippers reacts after dunking during the second half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Isaiah Hartenstein of the Clippers looks on during the second half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles past the defense of Paul George of the Clippers during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Paul George of the Clippers rebounds past Drew Eubanks of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Paul George of the Clippers rebounds past Drew Eubanks of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs steals the ball from Eric Bledsoe of the Clippers during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Brandon Boston Jr. of the Clippers looks on during the second half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ivica Zubac of the Clippers passes the ball during the second half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Luke Kennard of the Clippers attempts to steal the ball from Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs attempts to shoot over the defense of Paul George of the Clippers during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Paul George of the Clippers shoots over the defense of Drew Eubanks of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Paul George of the Clippers battles Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs for a loose ball during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Paul George of the Clippers battles Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs for a loose ball during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Drew Eubanks of the San Antonio Spurs defends against the shot of Paul George of the Clippers during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Tre Jones of the San Antonio Spurs shoots past the defense of Isaiah Hartenstein of the Clippers during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Amir Coffey of the Clippers looks on after being called for a foul during the second half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles past the defense of Paul George of the Clippers during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ivica Zubac of the Clippers battles Drew Eubanks of the San Antonio Spurs for a rebound during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Doug McDermott of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the second half of a game against the Clippers on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — It wasn’t as easy as hitting the old Easy Button on Tuesday night at Staples Center – as it’s called for now – but the Clippers eventually subdued the San Antonio Spurs, 106-92.
With news spreading through the arena – the home of the Clippers and Lakers since 1999 – of a pending announcement that the building soon will be called Crypto.com Arena, the hosts in action held court in front of the 13,298 fans in attendance.
Afterward, George and Reggie Jackson marveled at the forthcoming change – even though the Clippers are scheduled to move into their own arena, the $1.2 billion Intuit Dome in Inglewood, in 2024.
“It’d be weird. I grew up, this being Staples, and Staples being the place to play and the place to be,” said George, a Palmdale native. “It’ll definitely be weird. It’s the same location, but it’s kind of like just stripping the history here by calling it something else. You know, from there going forward, it’s the new history to be written. But it’ll be weird. For sure. Good thing we won’t be here too long, we’ll be at our own place.”
Reggie Jackson apologized ahead of time for getting the name wrong once it changes on Dec. 25.
“I feel like it’s really cool what we’ve been building, but you get a kid get in the NBA, he’s like, ‘OK, I’m going to play in The (Madison Square) Garden, I’m playing at the Mecca, like that’s The Garden. And I’m playing at TD Garden, that’s Boston; I’m playing at Staples, that’s L.A.’ There’s few select spots, you play there, that’s how it feels.
“Even for me, Staples was definitely one, the Garden, TD Garden, probably Oracle (Arena). … I mean, fans are great at San Fran now, but that was weird, but at least they moved.
“I don’t know how it’s gonna be not Staples, like, I can’t, I can’t see it. Like I said, I apologize ahead, I’ll still be calling it Staples.”
Well, on Tuesday at Staples, George’s 34 points and nine rebounds keyed the Clippers (9-5) as they held off Dejounte Murray and the Spurs (4-10), who got within 10 points – 99-89 – with two minutes left.
Nothing’s a given in the NBA, not even a game against a young San Antonio team that had lost five of its past seven games, and nine of 13 overall. The Clippers were stuck at 91 points for nearly four minutes in the fourth quarter, when the Spurs cut what was a 91-73 lead to 91-82.
But the Clippers outscored Gregg Popovich’s team 15-10 down the stretch.
Undermanned without Terance Mann (ankle), Justise Winslow (personal) as well as Kawhi Leonard (ACL), Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) and Serge Ibaka (G League), the Clippers leaned on their young legs Tuesday.
Amir Coffey, 24, proved an active understudy, especially defensively, and Brandon Boston Jr., 19, a fearless offensively inclined rookie – scoring 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting in 20 minutes.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, so the defense doesn’t know what I’m going to do,” Boston said.
On Boston, Lue said: “I thought defensively he competed, you know, still have to learn the foundation, but he competed, that’s what he does, he plays hard. And offensively, just taking his shots, he’s not scared of the moment, he’s happy to get in there, so he’s not one of those guys who’s gonna ease into the game.
On Coffey, the coach thought: “Amir was great too, defensively, had a couple blocks, some great rearview contests, made a big 3 for us when they kind of had a run going.”
The Spurs’ 25-year-old Murray wreaked the most havoc of the up-and-comers, though he did most of his damage before halftime, when he scored 20 of his 26 points. He narrowly missed a triple-double (12 rebounds, nine assists).
But after the break, it was a veteran who made his presence felt.
Jackson, the Clippers’ 11th-year guard, turned it on in the third quarter, breaking out of an early game funk to score 10 of his 21 points (and grab five of his six rebounds and record his first block of the season) to help the Clippers regain control, 83-71 entering the final frame.
“He was huge for us in the second half,” Lue said of Jackson, who shot 8 for 22 overall and 5 for 17 from 3-point range – the most 3-pointers he’s attempted in a game in his career.
“Taking over down that stretch, especially when PG went to the bench I think with four minutes to go in the third quarter, to really take over late in that third quarter and to start the fourth as well,” Lue added. “We needed every bit of it and, like I said, he was huge for us.”
Victims so often of slow starts, the Clippers built a 25-20 first-quarter lead Tuesday, shooting 11 for 21 from the field, but only 1 for 10 from 3-point range. George got started with nine points – and a couple of assists, steals and turnovers.
Back-to-back buckets from Luke Kennard, including a falling-down 3-pointer, gave them a 35-26 lead just a few minutes into the second quarter.
The Clippers’ second-period lead grew as large as 12 – 52-40 – before Murray sparked a San Antonio spurt that got the Spurs within two points before they went into the break, trailing 56-53.
George, who finished 12 for 13 from the free-throw line, and Murray scored 15 points apiece in a second-quarter duel and went into halftime with 24 and 20 points, respectively.
Eric Bledsoe added 11 points and three steals for the Clippers, who avoided losing two in a row despite 22 turnovers, one shy of their season high.
“We’re doing too much, and honestly, we’re trying to make the advance pass and trying to attack early,” Lue said. “Every game we have four or five turnovers trying to make the advance pass, so we just gotta be smarter with that, and just take care of the basketball, make the safe pass.
“Couple times, trying to make the home run play instead of making the simple pass, because when we do that, when we get shots we know we can score. So taking care of the basketball, we have to do a better job.”
Clippers forward Nicolas Batum played a season-low 14 minutes. He started both halves, but Lue said that the team’s dependable glue guy was dealing with Achilles soreness.
“So we just want be smart about it,” said Lue, who asked him to “start both halves for us and then put the young guys in there.”
