The LA Clippers recorded their third straight win against the Orlando Magic, led by a big night from Austin Rivers, to start off their road trip 1-0.
Austin Rivers scored 25 points on Wednesday night, including going 7-of-10 from three-point range, to help the LA Clippers (19-7) secure a victory against the Orlando Magic (11-16).
Rivers started at small forward in place of Luc Mbah A Moute (AC joint sprain) and hit a three-pointer with two minutes left to give the Clippers a nine-point lead. The Magic made a run in the last two minutes to get it within three. As they ran out of time, they resorted to fouling to gain extra possessions before Chris Paul hit two free throws with a second left to ice the game.
Blake Griffin added 23 points on an efficient night, going 9-of-14 from the field. Paul had another sound outing with 16 points and 10 assists. DeAndre Jordan had a strong double-double with 22 points (he tied a career-high with 12 made three throws at a 66.7 percent rate, making the Magic pay for hacking) and pulled down 12 rebounds. The Clippers won the rebounding battle 42-39 and shot 50 percent from the field. They were hot from deep too at 52 percent (13-of-25).
DeAndre Jordan with the greatest post move in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/65dIhgrPRm
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) December 15, 2016
Aaron Gordon scored a major new career-high of 33 points, shooting a surprisingly accurate 4-of-8 from deep. Evan Fournier added 24 points to go along with 8 assists. Jeff Green, the former Clipper, had a small revenge game off the bench, shooting 4-of-5 from deep to provide 18 points. Orlando hit 14-of-33 shots from deep, six above their nightly average of eight.
The first quarter provided little defense with the Magic up by as much as five until the Clippers closed out the quarter to lead 30-25. The Clippers remained in control throughout the second quarter to take a nine-point lead.
The fourth quarter saw the teams go back and forth. The Magic weren’t hitting in the same way from downtown as they were earlier in the game. The Clippers closed out the Magic in a game that never seemed in jeopardy, but never too easy either.
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The Clippers were in control for most of the game won in an offensive battle with very little defense. Their on-ball defending wasn’t great, and both teams were able to get where they wanted to.
Hack a DJ implemented
Frank Vogel called for his team to foul Jordan with three and a half minutes left in the third to try a cut down the lead. Jordan, now at 52 percent from the free throw this year, is up from 43 percent last year. He converted on 11-of-16 during that hack-filled minute and a half stretch.
The Magic only tried the “Hack a DJ’ in the third and opted not to again as Jordan stayed effective.
Clippers’ bench quiet in win
Jamal Crawford was 0-of-5 from the field. He couldn’t find his shooting touch and only scored one point on a free throw with seconds left.
Marreese Speights was the only bench player to shoot over 40 percent for the game. He finished with eight points and two made threes.
The Magic bench outscored the Clippers’ bench 31-17. The ball movement was there at times for the Clippers, but the shots weren’t always falling.
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Notes
The NBA has a tentative new seven-year CBA in place with the NBPA.
Jordan is now the franchise leader in blocks with 1,118 for his career.
Luc missed the game with an AC injury.
Over the last 10 games has shot 57 percent (27-of-42) from deep.
Up next
The LA Clippers continue their road trip with their next game on Friday against the Miami Heat. It is the first meeting between the two teams. The Heat are struggling on the season (9-17) and only four of eight defending their home court.
Next: Clippers finally need to stagger Blake with the bench
The big match up to keep an eye on is Hassan Whiteside and DeAndre Jordan. Whiteside is coming off a 26-point, 22-rebound performance against the Indiana Pacers Wednesday night.