The Clippers took the lead at the end of the third – now 71-70.
They outscored Portland 22-16 in the quarter to go out in front, after being down at halftime
Blake Griffin has 15 points and 12 rebounds and Eric Gordon has scored 18 for L.A.
Tomorrow night is the beginning of the Clippers season and the first home game – and first game overall – is against the Portland Trail Blazers. Tipoff is at 7:30 at Staples center.
The Clippers will start the season differently than last year, with Blake Griffin playing in the regular season. Last year, the 6’10” former first overall pick in the draft was injured and out the entire year. While he was out, his position was at least partially occupied by Marcus Camby, who is now in Portland. Even though Griffin was a rookie last year, he was hurt all year and will still considered a rookie this season. Because of that, he is thought by many to be the leading candidate for the Rookie of the Year Award at season’s end.
The Clippers anticipated starting lineup is Griffin at power forward, Chris Kaman at center, Ryan Gomes at small forward, Eric Gordon at the #2 shooting guard position and Baron Davis at point guard with Rasual Butler, Eric Bledsoe, Randy Foye, Craig Smith and DeAndre Jordan as the second unit.
Jarron Collins – who played his prep ball at Harvard-Westlake in Studio City and won a state title with them – joins the Clippers after playing in Phoenix last year and Utah before.
Hopefully, the Clippers get off to a better start than the last two years, starting 0-4 last season and 0-6 in the previous one.