Nov 29, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers huddle between plays against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 104-98 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
How The Game Was Won:
With no Chris Paul (knee) and J.J. Redick (wrist) absent for most of the night, someone had to pick up the scoring and playmaking role. Jamal Crawford was that someone. Jamal scoring 31 points is a shock to no one. The Sacramento Kings don’t have the perimeter personnel to slow him down and scoring is what he does best, being one of the better ‘microwave’ players this league has even seen. The 11 assists is the shocker here. Score-first reserves off the bench usually get labeled as “selfish”, but Crawford showed us he can be that guy when needed.
Jamal Crawford #Doublex2Alert: 27 pts, 11 asts. First doublex2 in exactly 5 years.
— Andrew Han (@andrewthehan) November 30, 2013
Blake Griffin contributed his usual double-double 21 points and 10 rebounds, but for the first time this season, he wasn’t the Clippers most impressive big man. DeAndre Jordan‘s play kept the Clippers afloat rather it had been offensively, defensively or pure energy. He finished the night with 10 points, 15 rebounds, 9 blocks and 1 turnover, a stat line that hasn’t been produced since Serge Ibaka in 2012. If he can continue to play this way, he’ll finally begin to live up to that hefty contract.
Defense:
Considering the pace the Clippers play at plus a free period due to overtime, giving up 98 points isn’t bad. But points aren’t the proper indicator as to how well a team defended. What sticks out the most are DeAndre Jordan and the lack of production from Isaiah Thomas. As the last line of defense, it felt as if Jordan affected more shots that he normally does on a nightly basis. And it was reflected in the stat sheet. He finished the game with 9 blocks which is a career high. Jordan also did a solid job on Demarcus Cousins, limiting his game late in the fourth quarter and overtime.
With Isaiah Thomas, the wing defenders forced him to go right most of the night and held him to 5 points on 5 shots. In the last two meetings, Thomas averaged 25.5 points against Los Angeles. The trickle down effect of poor play from Thomas was an extended viewing of Greivis Vasquez. While his playmaking opens up the floor for everyone else, the Maryland guard lacks the skill set to take over games offensively. This played into the hands of LA.
Redick’s injury
JJ Redick had x-rays on his right wrist. The results were negative.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) November 30, 2013
JJ Redick said his wrist is in significant pain, swollen and throbbing. He said he hopes to have a MRI performed on it tomorrow.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) November 30, 2013
JJ Redick said he knew nothing was broken in his wrist. "Where it hurts, there's no bone."
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) November 30, 2013
Highlight of the Night
Sure this isn’t a Clippers highlight, but it deserved some recognition. In his first game with the Sacramento Kings, Derrick Williams made his presence felt. This alley-oop that didn’t count was pretty impressive.
Quote of the Night
Doc Rivers on DeAndre Jordan’s defensive presence:
“D.J. had a Bill Russell night. He really did with nine blocks and the rebounds. It’s amazing what a defender can do for your team who just buys into it and he’s bought in 100 percent. Without him, we had no chance tonight. He was just phenomenal.” (h/t, ESPN LA)
Next Game
December 1st versus Indiana Pacers (15-1).