LA Clippers win close, physical contest vs. Trail Blazers 121-120
The LA Clippers took it to the wire to get a narrow win over the Portland Trail Blazers 121-120, sweeping the regular season series 3-0.
Chris Paul scored 21 points, dished 14 dimes and made key plays including a deep three-pointer in the fourth quarter to help the LA Clippers (18-7) win this game 121-120 and sweep their regular season series against the Portland Trail Blazers (12-14).
Blake Griffin scored a game-high 26 points and added 12 rebounds and six assists. DeAndre Jordan grabbed 12 rebounds to go with nine points. J.J. Redick had 19 points with timely free throws (8-of-8 for the game) down the stretch as he went to the line to seal the deal. Jamal Crawford scored 14 nine points coming in one four-minute stretch early on. The team hit 47.8 percent of their three-pointers, making 11 for the game.
Griffin hit a jumper to take the first lead. On the next possession, the Clippers switched with Griffin on Damian Lillard who drove to the basket, and Blake recovered for a strong block. Late in the first quarter Crawford went to work, scoring nine points in four minutes to end the quarter with the Clippers up 11.
In the second quarter, the Blazers got out in transition and scored at will. Portland took a four-point lead going into halftime. Plumlee played very well throughout the game with good defense and helped Lillard and McCollum on the offensive side with his passing. Portland out rebounded the Clippers 12-6, and connected on 14 of 20 shots for the second quarter.
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It was a game of runs to say the least, and the Clippers took over in the third quarter with Redick hitting his first and only three of the game. He got going coming off screens and taking good looks from two. Luc Mbah A Moute hurt his right shoulder, but continued to play in the game.
The last quarter had a couple of runs from each side, with the Clippers going on a 7-0 run before a 10-0 spell by the Blazers. This sent the Clippers down five, and they began to get stops and make shots on the other end. Paul hit an open three to get the lead up to four with two minutes remaining.
Jordan and Evan Turner were ejected after a bump and some finger pointing. The Blazers made it interesting with a three by Lillard to get it to one, but they ran out of time to lose for the third time to the Clippers this season.
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McCollum went 9-of-17 from the field for a team-high 25 points. Lillard started to heat up after the half and had 24 points for the game. Plumlee tallied 18 points, 7 rebounds, four assists and five blocks in a highly well-rounded effort. Turner added 15 points and Allen Crabbe scored 13 points in 21 minutes. The Blazers were on fire from deep at 47.6 percent.
The return of Raymond Felton
Raymond Felton was a pest on defense and efficient from the field, shooting 4-of-8 overall and 2-of-3 from deep. He missed the previous two games because of his grandmother’s death.
The Clippers were excited to have him back as another playmaker. Felton’s quick hands netted two more steals. With Austin Rivers out and Felton coming back, some pressure was taken from Paul and Blake to run the offense.
Next: Can Clippers rediscover their dominant form?
Up next
Clippers embark on a three game road trip starting with the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. The Three teams they play against on the road are 27-46 (.586) The Clippers look to do a little better than their last road trip which ended 3-3.