Game 2: Clippers 103 – Warriors 105
Dec 25, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward David Lee (10) controls the ball against Los Angeles Clippers small forward Jared Dudley (9) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Absences: J.J. Redick (LAC), Jermaine O’Neal (GSW)
It’s not often when a star playing missing free throws to allow the opposing team a chance isn’t the story of the game.
Meeting up on Christmas, the Clippers-Warriors rivalry jumped to another level as Mark Jackson’s assassin-esque tactics got Blake Griffin eliminated from the game. First Draymond Green took a shot at Griffin, sending an elbow to his throat. Soon followed an altercation between Griffin and Andrew Bogut that resulted in double technicals. With that being his second technical foul of the game (it would later be rescinded by the NBA), Griffin was ejected, leaving the window open for the Warriors to take the game.
Even without Blake, the game came down to the wire as Andre Igoudala missed back-to-back free throws with nine seconds left in the game. Unfortunately for the Clippers, Jamal’s jumper to tie the game rimmed out, allowing the Warriors to tie the season series 1-1.
Quote of the Game
“Instead of just playing straight up and playing a game, it got into a little something more than that. It’s unfortunate because you want to play a team head-to-head. You don’t want to start playing other games and cowardly basketball.” – Blake Griffin
Highlights