Five takeaways from the Clippers’ 123-115 win over the Toronto Raptors
The Clippers improved their NBA-best record to 13-2 with a 123-115 win over the Toronto Raptors (8-6) at the Staples Center on Monday night. Below are five takeaways from the game.
1. Two halves, two Blakes
Blake Griffin has been the heartbeat of the Clippers’ half-court offense for much of the young season, but he was almost entirely absent in the first two quarters. The Clippers’ built a nine-point halftime lead despite Griffin making just two of his first seven shots.
Then Griffin came out of the break with a head of steam, scoring the Clippers’ first 10 points of the second half. That helped build the cushion the Clippers used to stave off the Raptors’ late comeback efforts. Griffin, after scoring five in the first half, finished with 26 — tied for most on the team with Chris Paul — and seven rebounds and seven assists.
It was Griffin’s second straight game with 26 points, and his eighth straight game with 20 or more points. He has also scored in double-figures in every contest this season.
“Got some stops early in the beginning of the second half and got out in transition, got some easy buckets,” Griffin said of what changed for him in the second half. “It’s always nice to see the ball go through the hoop, and then just our offense, we did a good job of being patient, spreading the floor out and getting some good shots for each other.”
2. Defending DeMar
Toronto’s DeMar Derozan has been one of the NBA’s elite scorers this season, and he certainly got his on Monday.
But he did not pour it in when it mattered most, as just two of his 26 points came in the fourth quarter.
Before the game, Clippers Coach Doc Rivers likened the 6-foot-7 Derozan to a bigger Dwyane Wade. Derozan, who played one season at USC before turning pro, punishes defenses with an old-fashioned mid-range game. He did for much of the game against the Clippers, despite Luc Mbah a Moute’s relentless pressure. Then Mbah a Moute and the Clippers’ defense had the last word.
It almost may not seem like much of an accomplishment for the Clippers, but it was just the third time this season Derozan finished with 25 or fewer points.
3. Back intact
Wesley Johnson had missed five games with a heel injury before returning to the floor against the Raptors.
Johnson’s been part of the Clippers’ five-man bench group and a big reason why that second unit has been so successful on defense this season. Before the game, Rivers said he would evaluate how well Johnson could move. The forward played 12 minutes, right below his season average, and did not score a point.
But he helped the second unit regain its defensive energy and lift the Clippers ahead of the Raptors after a lethargic first quarter.
“That defensive unit, their defensive numbers are off the chart because we have four guys who can switch,” Rivers said of Johnson’s defensive value. “Right when we took Wesley off, we only had three who could switch, and that had an impact on our defense.”
4. Mixing it up
The Clippers started the season by blowing out opponent after opponent, but have narrowly won their last three games against the Kings, Bulls and Raptors.
“It’s the mark of a good team,” Rivers said of the Clippers winning in different ways.
He also pointed to all the different lineup combinations that had success through the game. On top of that, the Clippers received 10 or more points from six different players, including every starter.
“We talked about it when we were winning by larger margins earlier on,” Griffin said. “Not every game’s going to be like that, and at the end of the day, you’ll take a win however you can get it.”
5. Never satisfied
And though the Clippers will take any and all victories, that does not mean they won’t nitpick at how they come.
After the game, Rivers was seen throwing his hands in the air with a mix of exasperation and relief. The Clippers were far from flawless — the Raptors clawed back late and hit a handful of uncontested threes — and the coach was quick to point that out afterward.
“I just want to be better every night. Wins aren’t good enough,” Rivers said. “I thought we played OK. We didn’t play great.”
Twitter: @dougherty_jesse
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