Clippers update: Blake Griffin, Al Thornton, etc. ...

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Anger ended up fueling Blake Griffin against the Jazz on Saturday night, but the interesting thing was that raw emotion enhanced his game rather than detracted from it.

‘He didn’t lose his head at all,’ Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

There were many things at work to annoy Griffin: the physical presence of Utah’s Carlos Boozer and the calls and non-calls by the replacement officials, among others.

‘I think he got a little frustrated and consequently played even harder,’ Dunleavy said. ‘It made him more determined. Any form of experience is good, playing against the better players and playing against different coverages, everything different that happens is positive for him. He learns quickly.’

Dunleavy is often asked what has surprised him the most about Griffin. What stands out actually got started back in July in Las Vegas.

‘One thing maybe surprising in Summer League is that he was as good defensively on the rotation stuff as he’s been,’ Dunleavy said. ‘He gets coverages. He’s like a veteran guy. He’s better than veteran guys. He’s been one of our best as far as not making mistakes in coverages.

‘It’s new because there are a lot of new sets you’re playing against. There’s formations he’s never seen before. There’s all kinds of new names.’

Sitting out against the Lakers will be Marcus Camby (sprained ankle), Sebastian Telfair (hamstring) and Al Thornton, who was hurt in the first half against Utah.

‘He got a stinger last night in his right arm,’ Dunleavy said. ‘The feeling came back but the strength wasn’t there. He almost got punched in the nerve and will take a little time to respond.’

-- Lisa Dillman