L.A. Clippers Host the Red, White and Blue-Clad Wizards from the District by Jeff Little

After a surprising win at the Rose Garden in Portland, the Washington Wizards arrived at the Staples Center with some momentum against the favored Los Angeles Clippers. The Staples Center had 19,135 in attendance their 14th sellout of the season.

This game was very competitive and the contest was close late in the second quarter. Consecutive three’s by Chris Paul, Mo Williams and a follow dunk by Blake Griffin put the Clippers ahead. However, with 1:59 remaining in the first half the Wizards took a one-point lead. The Clippers held their own in spite of that, and had a 50-47 lead at halftime.

The Wizards were game. JaVale McGee had 18-points and five-rebounds, John Wall had an 18-point 11-assist night, Nick Young put up 12 points and the Wizards got 12-points off the bench from Jordan Crawford. Washington also had 40 points in the paint and put up 19 fast break points. The District of Columbia team had a nice start, but failed to finish the game. They were unable to handle the timely three-point shooting, the depth, the teamwork or the defense of the Los Angeles Clippers.

L.A. held Washington to 39.5 % shooting from the field and 22.7% from behind the arc. The Wizards did not help their cause by shooting a woeful 67.9 % from the free throw line. The Clippers’ timely three-point shooting allowed them to finish off their opponent. The competitive phase of the game was over at the 5:23 mark when Los Angeles took an 89-80 lead.

Caron Butler came out on fire, knocking down his first two three-point shots and finishing the game with another solid 20 point effort. Blake Griffin was the player of the game with a solid 23-point, 15-rebound performance highlighted by three signature dunks. The Clippers won this game going away, 102-84. The Wizards can claim that they played the Clippers close for three and a half quarters on their home floor. But the Clippers are lethal with Chris Paul as their floor general and, in command of lob city, this team will be a tough out for anyone. They still have to prove that they can win on the road, overcome the loss of a leader like Chauncey Billups, shoot better from the free throw line and get more consistent scoring from their bench.

 

Jeff Little Talk Host @Sportsjourney