Big games from Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford lead to victory at Utah

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin scored 28 points in Saturday’s victory at Utah/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com

 

When the Clippers embarked on their seven-game road trip, it didn’t seem like the best time because they were struggling and coming off a 105-89 loss at home to Chicago on Nov. 17.

But many of the Clippers said ahead of the road trip it could be a good thing because it could bring the team together. Perhaps, they were right.

The Clippers on Saturday night completed their road trip with a 112-96 victory at Utah. That gave the Clippers a 6-1 record on the trip, the lone loss coming at Memphis – the team with the NBA’s best record.

Blake Griffin scored 28 points on 13 of 18 shooting and sixth-man Jamal Crawford scored 22 on 8 of 17 from the field. Crawford was 4 of 9 from 3-point range as the Clippers shot 39.3 (11 of 28) from beyond the arc. They shot 56.3 percent overall.

Also, Chris Paul scored 17 points and doled out 10 assists, J.J. Redick scored 13, backup point guard Jordan Farmar scored 10 points and had two assists, DeAndre Jordan had eight points and 12 rebounds and Matt Barnes scored eight.

Utah’s Gordon Hayward led everyone with 30 points. The Jazz are 5-12.

The Clippers left 5-4 and will come home 11-5.

Among the six victories, none would qualify as really terrific because the best team in there – Houston – was missing three starters. Of the remaining five wins, four came against teams that will be hard-pressed to make the playoffs.

Still, the Clippers are looking smooth.

Blake Griffin wants to close out seven-game road trip on a positive note

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin scored 30 points in Friday’s victory at Houston/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com

 

Blake Griffin late Friday night was stoked about his team’s 102-85 victory over the host Houston Rockets, but Griffin indicated he wants to finish this seven-game road trip on a positive note, so it’s time to forget the Rockets and focus on the Utah Jazz.

The Clippers (10-5) and Jazz (5-11) tangle tonight (Saturday) at 6 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake (on Prime Ticket). The Clippers are 5-1 on the trip.

“Obviously, this game was important,” said Griffin, who scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against the Rockets. “We always say that the next (game) we are about to play is the most important on the schedule. We can’t overlook anybody. It was a good win for us, but now we have to really close this thing out.”

 

 

Doc Rivers praises team’s defensive effort after 102-85 victory at Houston

Blake Griffin leads Los Angeles Clippers past Houston Rockets

Blake Griffin is defended by James Harden of the Rockets on Friday in Houston/Photo courtesy of Associated Press

 

Doc Rivers had nothing but positive things to say following his team’s 102-85 victory at Houston on Friday night. The victory gave the Clippers a 5-1 record on the seven-game road trip, which ends tonight (Saturday) at 6 at Utah (on Prime Ticket).

“It was a good win,” Rivers said. “Obviously, it’s a long trip and we want to win one at a time. I thought our guys came out with great focus. I thought our defense was terrific. We just pulled together the entire game and we wanted them to make extra passes and try to run them off from the 3s. I thought overall we did a really good job of that.”

Rivers said his favorite part of the game was when his team did not scored 10 consecutive possessions, yet the score did not change because of his team’s defense.

“That is really great for your team when you don’t score and they can’t score,” he said. “I thought our guys did that tonight.”

 

Houston (12-4) was missing three starters, including post Dwight Howard. The Clippers held the Rockets to 39 percent shooting.

For the Clippers (10-5), Blake Griffin scored 30 points on 11 of 20 shooting and Jamal Crawford scored 21 points.

 

Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford combine for 51 points in victory at Houston

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin scored 30 points in the Clippers’ win Friday at Houston/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com

 

Blake Griffin scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Jamal Crawford scored 21 off the bench to lead the Clippers to their fifth win in six tries on this seven-game road trip, 102-85 over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center in Houston.

The Rockets (12-4) were without center Dwight Howard, power forward Terrence Jones and point guard Patrick Beverly, all sidelined with various minor injuries; Jones has played in only four games this season, Beverly in just seven. Howard leads the team in rebounding with an 11.3 average and also averages 18.8 points and 2.3 blocks.
The Clippers (10-5) shot 46.9 percent from the field, 36.0 percent (9 of 25) from 3-point range. J.J. Redick contributed 15 points, Chris Paul had 10 points, seven assists and five steals; DeAndre Jordan had seven points and 13 rebounds; and Spencer Hawes came through with seven points and eight rebounds.

Defensively, the Clippers excelled. They held the Rockets to 39.0 percent shooting, 27 percent (10 of 37) from beyond the arc. James Harden led Houston with 16 points, which was well below his team-leading 25.3 average heading into the game.

 

Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford help Clippers to 56-44 halftime lead at Houston

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin has 18 points at halftime at Houston/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com

 

Blake Griffin scored 18 points and sixth-man Jamal Crawford had 15 in the first half for the Clippers, who lead 56-44 at Houston at intermission. The Clippers shot 51.3 percent from the field, 100 percent (11 of 11) from the free-throw line.

Chris Paul, J.J. Redick and Spencer Hawes each had five points in the half.

Isaiah Canaan led Houston (12-3) with 13 first-half points, Trevor Ariza scored eight and James Harden and Tarik Black seven apiece.

The Rockets are playing without the injured Dwight Howard.

The Clippers (9-5) are 4-1 so far on this seven-game road trip.

Guard Jamal Crawford says he wants to become a better all-around player

Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford is aiming to become a better defensive player/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com

 

Jamal Crawford is known as one of the best sixth-men in the NBA. He has twice won Sixth Man of the Year. But even at the age of 34, he’s trying to improve his game, so he is actively trying to get better defensively.

“I just want to be a better all-around player,” said Crawford, whose team tonight (Friday) at 5 plays at Houston (on Prime Ticket). “Early in my career, I had the mentality that I could outscore everybody. Now I just really take pride in defense. They tell us exactly where to be at so I know where to be at. If I’m not locked in, I get upset with myself. So I just want to be a better all-around player.”

The Clippers (9-5) take a 4-1 record on this road trip into the Houston game. The Rockets are 12-3.