DeAndre Jordan pulled down 27 rebounds in Monday’s victory at Dallas/Photo by Associated Press
– Yes, it is somewhat amazing to think the Clippers went into Dallas without Blake Griffin and beat the Mavericks by 17 points on their home court. But before you get too excited, keep in mind Dallas lost starting center Tyson Chandler to an ankle injury 39 seconds into the game. Monta Ellis, the starting shooting guard, played only four minutes after sustaining a hip injury. Ellis averages a team-high 20 points and did not score, Chandler averages 10.7 points and a team-high 11.8 rebounds and he had one point and zero rebounds. That’s not to mention Mavericks starting point guard Rajon Rondo was already out with an orbital bone fracture.
– DeAndre Jordan took full advantage of not having to deal with Chandler by coming away with a career-high 27 rebounds. He also scored 22 points with three blocks. Sure, he would have had more difficulty doing that with Chandler playing, but 27 rebounds is 27 rebounds and it’s just a beautiful thing to watch any player do that.
– Chris Paul. He really came through when his team needed him most. He scored 25 points, doled out 13 assists, grabbed six rebounds and had two steals with three turnovers in 40 minutes.
– Having J.J. Redick back after he missed the previous three games with back spasms helped, for sure. He scored 15 points while making 5 of 12 from the field, but he was 3 of 4 from 3-point range. He also had three assists and no turnovers.
– It’s difficult to tell how much of a positive effect this might have on the team. Yes, winning meant the Clippers didn’t have to come home 2-6 from the Grammy trip. Instead, they finished 3-5. But the realization of not having Griffin – out at least three weeks and probably more after having surgery Monday to remove a staph infection in his right elbow – may set in and this win may not mean much at all. One thing’s for sure, it moved the Clippers (34-19) to within a half-game of fifth-place Dallas (35-19) in the Western Conference standings.
