Kobe Bryant shows Blake Griffin some love during Game 6
Lakers’ superstar Kobe Bryant watched the Clippers play the Houston Rockets in Game 6 on Thursday.
Through three quarters, Blake Griffin had 28 points on 12-for-15 shooting and seven rebounds, helping his team take a 19-point lead over the Rockets.
Tweeted Bryant: “The game of @blakegriffin32 has grown tremendously #respect”
Then in the fourth quarter Griffin went scoreless, missing each of his five shots and only grabbing one rebound in 12 minutes of play.
The Clippers were outscored in the fourth quarter, 40-15, and ended up losing to the Rockets, 119-107. The teams’ second-round series is now tied at 3-3, and they will play a winner-takes-all Game 7 in Houston on Sunday.
Nearly 80% of home teams win Game 7s in NBA playoff series.
Tweeted Magic Johnson: “The Clippers are in a world of trouble after not closing out at home in Game 6 and now having to go to Houston for Game 7.”
Griffin silently got dressed in the locker room after the game, keeping to himself and not interacting with anyone.
Said Griffin: “I mean, it’s just not a good feeling. It’s not an ideal situation to play in when you’re missing shots.”
Griffin is averaging 25.8 points, 12.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists in the 2015 playoffs. The Clippers power forward entered Game 6 as the fourth player since 1986 who is 6-foot-9 or taller to average at least 25 points while assisting on at least 25% of his team’s points in the playoffs, joining Larry Bird (1986), Tim Duncan (2011) and Kevin Durant (2013).
Heading into Game 7, Griffin knows what is on the line for the Clippers.
If the Clippers win, they will advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in their 45-year history. If they lose, they will make the history books for another reason.
The Clippers had a 3-1 series lead over the Rockets before losing Games 5 and 6. Only eight teams in NBA history have ever recovered from a 3-1 series deficit to advance to the next round.
“Game 7 is Game 7,” Griffin said. “It’s about who wants it more. I expect us to be ready.”
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