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He scored 14 points in the first half -- almost as much as the rest of the starting lineup -- and finished 9-of-14 shooting. Points in the paint weren't even close: The Spurs had 50, and the Clippers 18.
Boris Diaw added 16 points and Danny Green had 13 for the Spurs. Manu Ginobili scored 10 and was held scoreless in the second half.
Randy Foye was the Clippers' only other player in double digits, scoring 11.
If this keeps up, a near-historic postseason for the Clippers will end this weekend unless they figure out a plan fast.
This is only the third time in the woeful 41-year history of the franchise that Los Angeles' long-maligned "other" team has survived to the second round. Their momentum started with a stunning 27-point comeback on the road against Memphis in their playoff opener, but the Clippers haven't made a rally stick in San Antonio.
A bumbling start had the Clippers already down by 15 in the first quarter before clawing back with a 9-2 burst. Getting to within 46-42 at halftime had the Clippers' bench heading to the locker room clapping and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich storming off fuming.
Halfway through the third quarter, however, the lead was back to 16.
"There was a refocus of energy at halftime," Duncan said. "We came out understanding of what we had to do to finish this game."
As the deficit deepened, so did the Clippers' frustration.
DeAndre Jordan seethed and slammed the ball when a missed rotation gave Green an uncontested 3-pointer that stretched San Antonio's lead to back to double digits in the third. Less than a minute later, Foye trotted upcourt shaking his head after Paul's fumbled dribble gave Kawhi Leonard a clear path for a breakaway dunk.
Following another 3-pointer by Green- this one pushing San Antonio's lead to 70-60 -- the turned-around Clippers looked so disjointed that Green darted back down and knocked the ball out of Paul's hands on the ensuing inbound.
NOTES: The Spurs followed up tying a franchise playoff record with 13 3-pointers in Game 1 with 10 this time... Talk about a pro cut: A 12-year-old Spurs fan suspended from his San Antonio middle school for shaving the face of forward Matt Bonner in his hair scored free tickets to the game and a meeting with his favorite player before tipoff. Bonner, whose mother is a teacher, said he was puzzled by the school's decision and gave Patrick Gonzalez an autographed pair of shoes and an autographed jersey. "Keep supporting us redheads in the NBA," the Red Rocket told his biggest fan.
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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