Game #4: San Antonio Spurs 87 – 84 LA Clippers F
It’s another game, it’s another heartbreaking loss for the LA Clippers, this time in a defensive minded battle against the San Antonio Spurs.
Three out of the Clippers’ first four games were decided within the last minute and once again the Clippers showed their lack of ability to close out games.
The team’s first win of the season was bound to be celebrated but thanks to silly turnovers and some long range bombs by Manu Ginobili in the last minutes the Clippers were forced to postpone that celebration.
Leading with as many as 6 points with two minutes remaining, the Clippers allowed the Spurs to finish the game with a 11-2 run and beat them on their home court.
Game #5: Oklahoma City Thunder 84 – 100 LA Clippers F
Even though the Clippers still had a long way to go to come even close to their all-time worst start to a season, which is 17 straight losses (1998/99), a victory wouldn’t hurt.
In their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder it was rookie Blake Griffin who took matters into his own hands and completely dismantled the Thunder – on his own.
Griffin scored 13 of the Clippers first 15 points and, in just seven minutes of playtime, finished the first quarter with 21, two short of his career high, of the team’s 31 points. On the other end of the court in the meantime, the Clippers played smothering defense, holding the Thunder to just 14 points. Short, it was the best quarter the Clippers played this season, both offensively and defensively.
The Clippers never looked back and maintained their 15 to 20 points lead throughout the game, not allowing the Thunder any chance at a potential comeback.
BG rounded up his 37 points performance with 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
The only gripe in tonight's game was seeing sharp shooter Rasual Butler go down holding his ankle. Butler's ankle sprain is said to be of similar proportions as Kaman's, meaning 2 to 4 weeks rest for the forward.
Game #6: LA Clippers 99 – 92 Denver Nuggets F
On Friday night the Clippers overcame conference rival Denver for a close victory on the road. The last time the Clippers won at Pepsi Center was on April 29th of 2006, in their only playoff appearance of the decade.
It was a game of runs and spurts. The Nuggets came out strong in the first quarter while the Clippers dominated the Nuggets in the second and third quarter to take a demanding lead. LA won the second and third quarter 30-17 and 31-19, respectively.
Leading by 18 after the third period, the Nuggets went on a huge run in the fourth, scoring 24 points while holding the Clippers to just 8 points, who watched their lead vanish late in a game once again. The Clippers closed the game out this time though, with a 7-2 run that included two very lucky long range shots by Gomes and Gordon, respectively.
Game #7: LA Clippers 75 – 87 Utah Jazz F
As unfittingly as it sounds, the Clippers were headed to Salt Lake trying to defend their winning streak, currently at two games. Al Jefferson and the 4-1 Utah Jazz had a voice in that chapter; successfully securing a victory on their home court, in what was a tough game offensively for the visiting Clippers.
Failing to score over 22 points in either quarter, or only having three players, (Griffin, 24; Gordon, 23; Gomes, 11) in double digits wasn’t enough to overcome the savvy Jazz.
Even though All-Star Deron Williams had a rather quiet night with 12/7/4, crafty low post moves by Big Al and long range bombs by Raja Bell and company were enough to take down the Clippers.
Blake Griffin vs. Oklahoma City
37 PTS/10 REB/4 AST/2 STL/2 BLK
Specially loving the ragged paper pics.
