[March 13, 2014]LOS ANGELES — Blake Griffin soared
to new heights, and the Los Angeles Clippers remained the hottest club
in the NBA.
The All-Star forward finished with 30 points and 15 rebounds, and
the Clippers extended their winning streak to a season-high nine
games with a 111-98 victory over the Warriors at Staples Center on
Wednesday night.
"I'm proud of the way we fought, proud of the way guys handled
themselves," said Griffin, who shot 13-for-28 from the floor. "Guys
were fighting. We struggled at times. I missed a lot of shots,
missed some easy ones, had some stupid turnovers. But guys just kept
fighting, and I'm just proud of the way they played."
Los Angeles (46-20) halted the Warriors' winning streak at five
games. Griffin, who also had three steals and another highlight-reel
dunk, scored at least 20 points for a career-best 24th consecutive
game.
Griffin also became the third player to accumulate 3,000 rebounds,
6,000 points and 1,000 assists while shooting 50 percent or better
over his career. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Charles Barkley are the
others.
The win allowed the Clippers to split the season series between the
teams.
"They play well at home, and that's how this season's series went on
all along," said Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, referring to
each team winning two games at home. "Whether it's home or away, it
has that (playoff) atmosphere."
Los Angeles forward Danny Granger came off the bench to score 18
points on 7-of-11 shooting, while point guard Chris Paul finished
with 16 points, 12 assists and three steals. Center DeAndre Jordan
blocked six shots and added 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Clippers
had seven players score in double figures.
"Doc (Rivers, the Clippers' coach,) has the unique ability to play
to a player's strengths," Granger said. "He drew up some plays and I
got some good looks, and once I made my first one, I always think
I'm hot. We were in rhythm in offense all night."
Guard Darren Collison, who had 11 points, pushed the Clippers' lead
to double digits at 101-91 when he banked in a jumper with 3:55
remaining in the game. The Warriors cut the lead to seven on a
3-pointer by guard Klay Thompson but got no closer.
"Very competitive games. Both teams took care of their home court,
and I think we're two evenly matched teams," said Golden State
forward David Lee, who finished with 20 points and seven rebounds.
"We didn't have our best game, but overall you can take a loss like
this and learn from it, and we'll come back Friday hopefully with
another victory."
The lead exchanged hands 20 times in the first half before the
Warriors emerged with a 56-54 advantage at the break. They committed
just three turnovers in the first half compared to seven for the
Clippers.
Los Angeles ended the third with a 9-0 run that included 3-point
baskets by forward Willie Green and Paul, and the Clippers took an
84-79 lead. The Warriors failed to score in the final three minutes
of the third.
Griffith brought the crowd to its feet with 8:18 left when he
slammed home a miss by Granger, giving the Clippers a 91-84 lead.
"I was telling Danny, I'm not going to lie, I wanted it to come off
the rim if I was going to run that hard," Griffin said. "I was at
the 3-point line when he shot it, and I started running in. It just
came off just right."
Thompson led the Warriors (41-25) with 26 points, hitting 10 of 19
shots, including four of six 3-pointers. Curry and forward Andre
Iguodala added 13 points each. Curry also had 11 assists.
Thompson is expected to miss Friday's game against the Cleveland
Cavaliers because of the death of his grandfather.
The Clippers outrebounded the Warriors 49-36 and also outscored them
19-3 on second-chance points.
NOTES: Neither club led by more than four points in the first half.
... Clippers G Jamal Crawford missed his fourth consecutive game
with a strained left calf. Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said he was
not sure when Crawford, who averages 18.7 points per game, would
return, but it is doubtful Crawford will play Friday when the
Clippers visit the Utah Jazz. ... Los Angeles G/F Jared Dudley
returned after missing three games due to back spasms, but he logged
just 15 seconds at the end of the half. ... The Warriors entered the
game 10-2 since the All-Star break, the second-best mark in the
league next to the San Antonio Spurs' 9-1 record. ... The Warriors
scored at least 108 points in four consecutive games before the
Clippers held them down Wednesday.
