Five takeaways from the Clippers’ 102-96 victory over Phoenix
Clippers forward Blake Griffin shoots during a Nov. 2 game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center.
The Clippers keep getting it done. They were far from their best on a night their defense was spotty and they failed to consistently make shots, but they managed to persevere during a 102-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night at Staples Center, setting up a battle of unbeaten teams Wednesday in Oakland when the Clippers play the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.
But first things first. Here are five takeaways from the Clippers’ victory over the Suns:
1. Blake Griffin was great again: His stats took a slight dip from his off-the-charts averages over the season’s first three games, but he made a 19-foot jumper with 1 minute, 36 seconds left that essentially sealed the Clippers’ fourth consecutive victory to start the season. Griffin finished with 22 points on eight-for-15 shooting to go with 10 rebounds, shaking off an ankle he rolled on a drive to the basket in the first quarter. “To be able to pull it out late like that, it’s great,” Griffin said. “When you win games and you’re not playing that well, it’s good.”
2. The Clippers’ bench saved the game: The reserves were part of a 15-0 run in the second quarter that wiped out an eight-point deficit. Guard Austin Rivers was in the middle of two momentum-turning plays, starting with a layup in which he was fouled and made the resulting free throw to complete the three-point play. On the Clippers’ next possession, Rivers threw a lob to DeAndre Jordan for a reverse dunk. The Clippers’ reserves outscored their Suns counterparts, 41-29, and seemingly doubled their energy output. Shooting guard Jamal Crawford scored 11 points and surpassed 16,000 for his career. “Our bench played well, they got us back in it, they got stops and then we kind of came around,” Griffin said.
3. The bench’s strong play allowed the starters to play fewer minutes, even in a taut game: Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said it was his favorite aspect of the stat sheet. Jordan played 31 minutes, Griffin played 30 and J.J. Redick played 27, all below their averages from last season. “We never had minutes like that last year,” Rivers said. “So that’s fantastic for us overall.” Of course, Griffin pointed out that the Clippers’ starters were often rested the last time the team had a deep bench three years ago and it lost in the first round of the playoffs to Memphis. “That rest doesn’t do as much good when you don’t use it at the time you need it,” Griffin said. “It’s great to get rest during the year, but we really need to be ready come the playoffs. I know it’s a long way away, but that’s the mindset.”
4. It’s the Clippers’ first 4-0 start since 2007-08: They would finish that season 23-59, something that seems highly unlikely for a group of players with the pedigree of the current team. Benoit Benjamin, Marques Johnson and Cedric Maxwell were all still Clippers the last time the Clippers started a season with five consecutive wins, during the 1985-86 season. That’s the only time it’s happened in franchise history.
5. Golden State is next, and get ready for the madness: The Clippers were restrained in their comments Monday, with Griffin redirecting a question about the way the Warriors were playing after a 50-point victory over Memphis. “I thought we played well,” Griffin said dryly. “Phoenix is a good team.” Griffin went on to praise Golden State, which won three of four games against the Clippers last season. “Their defense is outstanding. They’re a great defensive team,” Griffin said. “You hear about their offense a lot but not as much about their defense and I think that’s what kind of sets them apart.”
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