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Clippers’ week in review

Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews, left, shoots over Clippers guard J.J. Redick during the first half of the Clippers' preseason loss Sunday.
(Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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After returning from training camp in Las Vegas last Saturday, the Clippers had their first preseason game Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors.

They lost, 112-94. The game featured a strong performance by Blake Griffin (24 points and 12 rebounds), but a poor defensive effort -- the Clippers committed 37 personal fouls and sent the Warriors to the free-throw line 47 times.

The Clippers were supposed to have an open scrimmage Wednesday at Galen Center, but Coach Doc Rivers called it off after about four minutes of play because he thought the players were dragging.

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He got a suite at Staples Center that night for the team to watch the Kings raise their championship banner in hopes that it would help them visualize winning an NBA title.

Rivers thought his team had been looking out of shape, and decided to make them run. On Thursday, the players came to the team’s training center and had a conditioning session instead of practice.

The Clippers had their second exhibition Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers in front of their new owner, Steve Ballmer. They lost, 119-114. The teams combined for 36 three-pointers, which, had it occurred in a regular-season game, would have broken the NBA record (31). But both teams struggled on the defensive end.

The Clippers, who are 0-2 in the preseason, will play at Utah on Monday at 6 p.m.

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