Cole Aldrich (45) of the Clippers plays defense on Brooklyn’s Thomas Robinson (41) during Monday’s game at Staples Center/Staff photo by Stephen Carr
– Chris Paul had yet another in a long line of fine games. He scored 23 points, doled out 12 assists, grabbed six rebounds and made two steals in 36 minutes. Prior to tip-off, Nets interim coach Tony Brown agreed with Clippers coach Doc Rivers that if not for Golden State’s Steph Curry, Paul would be a legitimate MVP candidate.
– Jamal Crawford provided terrific offense, scoring 26 points off the bench in just over 25 minutes. He shot 10 of 17, 3 of 4 from 3-point range. He also made two steals. Crawford scored 10 of his points in the fourth quarter, when the Clippers were finally putting a bit of distance between themselves and the Nets.
– The Clippers (39-20) had a difficult time putting the Nets away. It made sense. The Clippers are under enormous pressure, as they always are as the post-season gets closer and closer. The Nets, who are just 17-43, have absolutely nothing to lose from a team standpoint. When they went up early on the Clippers, they were having the time of their lives, hooting and hollering on the bench. Sometimes, those are the most dangerous teams to play, record and overall lack of talent notwithstanding. It could also be that the Clippers were thinking about Wednesday night’s showdown with Oklahoma City at Staples Center.
– Paul Pierce was back in this one after missing Friday’s victory at Sacramento. Pierce played 22-plus minutes and scored eight points on 3 of 5 shooting. He also pulled down five rebounds and had two assists and a steal in a nice stint.
– Sometimes a guy doesn’t play that many minutes and still makes a significant impact. Cole Aldrich played 11 minutes and scored two points. But the hard-playing reserve post grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots.