Surprise! Blake Griffin can shoot free throws

In nine games this month, Blake Griffin has done something highly unusual and perhaps unprecedented in his career -- he’s averaged 84.2% from the free-throw line.

It’s quite a stat for a 6-foot-10 power forward who has a career average of 61.6% from the line.

After the Clippers’ 115-92 win Monday over the San Antonio Spurs, Griffin said his recent foul-shot success has had a big effect on how he plays.

“It’s a confidence thing for me,” he said. “Going up there and feeling like you’re going to hit every single one, not being worried about getting fouled at any point in the game. I think that’s the difference for me this year as opposed to the past however many.

“I feel like being in the paint and really attacking, you almost get fouled 90% of the time, so not worrying about going to the free-throw line and really making them pay makes them really think twice about taking a foul here or there.”

Griffin said that because he has not been afraid of missing his free throws, he has been playing more aggressively down low. It’s a phenomenon that was highlighted by his 27-point performance Monday night.

Griffin pounded the Spurs’ defense, executing an array of drop steps, spin moves and post-ups. He made eight of his 14 shot attempts.

With that style of play, he was also frequently sent to the free-throw line. He shot 15 -- nearly twice as many as any player on either team -- and made 11 for 73.3% accuracy.

“It has been a huge focal point all year for all of us, especially Blake,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said of free-throw shooting.

Rivers praised the aggressive way Griffin played Monday, crediting the team’s 19-0 run in the second quarter to his tenacity down low.

“I actually thought that was a turning point in the game,” Rivers said. “When they got the little lead, we came out of the timeout and went straight to the post, straight to the post again, and then again, and we got something good out of it. He’s such a great passer too. I thought that was the difference in the game.”

Griffin, however, downplayed his performance.

“Some nights it’s a certain guy’s night,” he said.

ALSO:

Peyton Manning is a strange pick for sportsman of the year

Michigan State runs trick play on Stanford for Rose Bowl tickets

Bengals punter Kevin Huber’s jaw fractured on devastating hit [Video]