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 "Two different teams, two different points," Watson said. "We
understand that. The only thing we're not satisfied with is our
effort and the way we played, playing as a team on a back-to-back."
Guard J.J. Redick scored 19 of his 22 points in the first half, and
the Clippers ripped the hapless Suns 124-84 Monday night at Staples
Center.
Redick converted seven of 14 shots from the floor, including four of
six attempts from 3-point range, as the Clippers (37-19) defeated
the Suns for the fifth straight time at Staples Center.
Center DeAndre Jordan had 17 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks,
while point guard Chris Paul contributed 16 points and 14 assists.
Los Angeles forward Jeff Green had 18 points, many of those coming
when the outcome was already decided.
Redick credited Jordan with getting the Clippers off to a strong
start.
"Tonight, (Jordan) was active on both ends," Redick said. "Some of
the dunks were designed with plays on timeouts, and some were just
DJ and Chris having a connection tonight. Obviously, he was really
good."
Clippers coach Doc Rivers rested his starters in the fourth quarter.
A steady diet of ball movement and solid shooting boosted the
Clippers.
"We watched a lot of film this morning," said Paul, referring to
video of the team's Saturday loss to the Golden State Warriors. "We
saw where the ball stuck a lot. Obviously, two totally different
teams that you're playing against with two totally different
schemes, but we did try to make a conscious effort of finding the
open guy, moving the ball, playing with pace, and that's why we
opened the game right."
Guard Archie Goodwin finished with 20 points to lead the Suns
(14-43), who are 2-27 since Dec. 20. Center Alex Len, who was coming
off a 23-point, 13-rebound performance in a loss to the San Antonio
Spurs on Sunday, had 14 points and eight rebounds. Reserve forward
Mirza Teletovic chipped in 13 points and six rebounds.
The Clippers, who never trailed, bolted to a 36-17 lead after one
quarter. However, the Suns used an 11-0 run in the second quarter to
trim the lead to single digits. A jumper by forward P.J. Tucker
allowed Phoenix to pull within 39-35 midway through the period, but
the Clippers answered with 20-7 surge to close the half for a 59-42
lead at the break.
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"We just let them have too many stretches where they made a lot of
shots," said Goodwin, who came off the bench to make just six of 19
field goals and only one of six 3-pointers. "We didn't shut them
off. In the third quarter, they got going a lot, and at the end of
the second quarter. It's just a learning curve for us, and we have
to continue to get better."
Los Angeles shot 51.3 percent in the first half compared to only
35.6 percent for Phoenix. For the game, the Clippers made 55 percent
of their shots to 35.2 percent for the Suns. The Clippers hit 13 of
24 (54.2 percent) of their 3-point tries to seven of 24 (29.9
percent) for the Suns.
Los Angeles also enjoyed a considerable edge on points in the paint,
52-26.
"We need to keep improving," Rivers said. "That's what I tell our
guys every practice and every game. It's time for playoff
preparation. We tell them it's time to be serious, so we are getting
ready and getting better."
The Suns won the previous meeting with the Clippers 118-104 on Nov.
12. Phoenix benefitted from Los Angeles forward Blake Griffin being
ejected in the second quarter after picking up his second technical
foul. Paul sat out the contest with a sore right groin.
NOTES: Clippers G Jamal Crawford, who led his team with 25 points
Saturday in a loss to the Golden State Warriors, scored at least 15
points off the bench in each of the past 10 contests before scoring
just two points Monday. Crawford had produced 18 or more points
eight games in a row prior to Monday. ... The two clubs will play
again in the final regular-season contest at Phoenix on April 13.
... The Clippers assigned F Branden Dawson, who has scored two
points and grabbed three rebounds in three games this season, to the
Erie Bayhawks of the NBA Development League. ... Los Angeles meets
the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on Wednesday. Phoenix hosts the
Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.
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