Los Angeles Clippers vs Brooklyn Nets Recap 12/12
- Updated: December 12, 2015
Our Los Angeles Clippers came into Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York Saturday night being winless in the last three seasons against the Nets away from Staples Center. Luckily, that would change as Los Angeles would pull out the win 105 – 100. The leading scorer for the Clippers was again J.J. Redick whose shot has been money since returning to the lineup from an injury, Redick finished the night with 21 points.
The first quarter of play at Barclays was all about the defense for the Clippers. Holding the Nets to just 20 points in the quarter was expected against a Nets team that currently sits 26th in the NBA in scoring and the teams four steals had a lot to do with that success. The Clipper offense was also clicking in the first as the team would account for ten assists on the teams 28 points.
Surprisingly enough, the Los Angeles bench was a big reason for the team’s success in the second quarter. Doc Rivers tried something different and put DeAndre Jordan out there with the rest of the second unit to act as a defensive anchor, which had been lacking in recent play from this lineup. This worked to perfection. DeAndre Jordan was able to keep Brooklyn out of the paint and haul in some extra rebounds with a Clippers unit that usually plays small ball against a bigger opposition. By the end of the first half, JJ Redick led all Clippers in scoring with 14 as Los Angeles led Brooklyn 57-44.
The third quarter of play in this one held a similar pattern, Los Angeles’ defense would step up big and allow the Nets to only drop in 19 points. Paul Pierce also started to feel his shot a little bit in this quarter which is certainly a good development for the aging player that has been struggling all season long with his new club. The Clippers would lead heading into the fourth and final quarter of play 77-63.
The fourth quarter would have a very different feel to it for the Clippers. Brooklyn would become the aggressor. Winning their first quarter of the night, the Nets would drop in 37 to the Clippers 28. Brooklyn made one heck of a run midway through the quarter that would cut the Clippers once 18 point lead down to just 2 with under 4 minutes to go. However Los Angeles would be able to hold off the Nets late thanks to some heroic play from Blake Griffin who would end the game with 21 points to go with 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
A very good win for the Clippers in a building they have had many struggles in over the years. Holding off the Nets after they hit their hot stretch late in the game showed great fight from the club who is now 14-10 on the season behind leader Chris Paul. Paul continued to show off his passing prowess in this one in what was another game with double-digit assists as he ended with 14 of them and 15 points.
The Clippers will head to Detroit on Monday to take on the Pistons in what will be the last game of this 5 game road trip where the team has gone 3-1.
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