The Morning After: Chris Paul, Clippers Fall Late in Utah

Mar 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) pushes Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) away from LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) pushes Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) away from LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) listens to LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Clippers won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) listens to LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Clippers won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

All About The Guards

So much for the Blake show.

Monday night’s game was one dominated heavily by the Clipper guards. Just take a look at their top 3 scorers of the night:

  • Chris Paul – 33 points, 11/21 FG, 5/11 3PFG
  • J.J. Redick – 16 points, 5/11 FG, 1/4 3PFG
  • Austin Rivers – 15 points, 6/11 FG, 2/5 3PFG

The top 5 were rounded out by DeAndre Jordan (12) and Jamal Crawford (11). It was the first time all season that Blake Griffin was not at least a top 5 scorer in a game he played in. He finished with 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.

This was likely just a fluke performance for Griffin, who was averaging 22 points per game against Utah prior to last night’s contest.