Paul, Griffin lead Clippers to 107-92 win over Spurs in playoff opener

  • By Ben Bolch Los Angeles Times
  • Sunday, April 19, 2015 11:17pm
  • SportsSports

LOS ANGELES — They said it would be about them, no disrespect to the San Antonio Spurs’ five NBA championships, three veteran stars or soon-to-be Hall of Fame coach.

All the Los Angeles Clippers needed to do, they said, was do play to their considerable strengths to do what many figured was unlikely: beat the Spurs.

The Clippers unveiled a template for what that looks like Sunday night at Staples Center during a 107-92 victory in their playoff opener.

There was Blake Griffin dunking and Chris Paul darting and Matt Barnes grappling and Jamal Crawford shooting the Spurs into submission, just like the Clippers scripted it.

Griffin unfurled a dizzying array of dunks on the way to 26 points and Paul was a game-long menace with 32 points on 13-for-20 shooting to go with seven rebounds and six assists.

The Clippers will try for a repeat performance in Game 2 Wednesday night at Staples Center.

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich pulled his starters in the final few minutes after his team largely sputtered in the opening of its title defense. Guards Tony Parker and Danny Green combined to make two of their first 16 shots before finally heating up a bit after the Clippers had stretched their lead into double digits.

“The game was their defense was better than our offense,” said Popovich, who provided a summary after reporters’ questions weren’t to his liking. “Their aggressiveness, their physicality, their athleticism really hurt us offensively.”

Crawford scored 17 points on seven-for-10 shooting for the Clippers, giving them all the production they would need from their much-maligned bench.

The Clippers’ stars made all the difference as they stretched a nine-point lead to 18 late in the third quarter, with Paul and Crawford making three-pointers and Griffin — who also had 12 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and three steals — continuing his mastery of the Spurs’ Aron Baynes.

It was a rough third quarter for Baynes, who was victimized by not one, not two, but three vicious Griffin dunks and tumbled into a row of photographers while wrestling Barnes for a loose ball.

“They had a man contest,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.

Kawhi Leonard had 18 points for the Spurs, whose mini-rally midway through the fourth quarter was not enough to instill any real drama back into the game.

The Clippers opened the playoffs after a five-day break created by not having played on the last day of the regular season, making them the last team to start the playoffs.

“If we’re rusty, you’re going to say it was because we had five days off,” Paul said at the morning shoot-around. “If we look good, it’s going be like, man, they were fresh.”

A long layoff seemed particularly problematic for the Spurs in the early going, as they were out of sorts while committing charges and missing point-blank shots. Green missed five of six shots and the Spurs missed all six of their three-point attempts in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, Rivers went exclusively with reserves late in the quarter after previously saying he wouldn’t do so in the playoffs. The lineup of Spencer Hawes, Hedo Turkoglu, Glen Davis, Austin Rivers and Crawford worked for a brief stretch, with Crawford’s nine-foot jumper giving the Clippers a 30-18 lead.

Most of that advantage evaporated in the first two minutes of the second quarter as San Antonio scored 10 consecutive points, forcing Rivers to go back to his starters. Paul had to sit out the final 4:08 of the first half after picking up his third foul, but backup Austin Rivers helped the Clippers increase their lead from two points to six.

Doc Rivers joked before the game that Popovich had called him the previous night to inform him he would not intentionally foul DeAndre Jordan “for the sanctity of the game.”

Popovich didn’t seem to care about the quality of basketball late in the second quarter, instructing his players to foul Jordan four times. Jordan largely shrugged off the tactic, making four of eight free throws to give the Clippers a 49-43 halftime lead.

Things would get thoroughly more enjoyable for the Clippers and their fans in the final two quarters.

“My belief is we won tonight because we just had more energy,” Doc Rivers said. “For us to win on Wednesday night, we’re going to have to play better, and we’re going to have to execute better defensively.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.