Paul Returns But Spurs Prevail Over Clippers

By Connor Aylward
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Updated: February 24, 2017

Coming off a rough loss Thursday to the Golden State Warriors the Los Angeles Clippers battled with another Western Conference power Friday. The San Antonio Spurs.

With a 2-0 season series lead for the Clippers going into this one, this is a team they have played well against. Even with San Antonio currently being second in the West behind only Golden State.

With Chris Paul returning from injury after missing the team’s last 14 games Los Angeles was hoping he would provide yet another boost in this gritty matchup. And it didn’t take long for him to get involved.

First play of the game: Chris Paul faces up on Kawhi Leonard in the post and knocks down a jumper over him. CP3 is back.

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 25, 2017

Paul’s impact could be felt all night for the Clippers as he closed this game out with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.

Paul wasn’t the only Clippers guard that had an impressive night though. Austin Rivers, whom filled in for Paul in his absence kept his hot streak going off the bench finishing off the night with 23 points. Most of which came during an impressive second quarter run.

Doc was asked how Austin would adjust going back to the bench. Apparently well. 13 points in 11 minutes, just gave the Clippers the lead

— Rowan Kavner (@RowanKavner) February 25, 2017

Even with the two guards lighting up the floor for Los Angeles they weren’t ever able to grasp a lead for long. In part the team’s failure to convert on Spurs turnovers had to do with this. In the first half San Antonio turned the ball over 10 times, Los Angeles converted a total of 0 points off of those turnovers. They would turn the ball over just 2 more times in the game.

Another area the Clippers struggled was on the boards. Los Angeles was out-rebounded by a total of 15 on the night but it really was offensive rebounds where San Antonio made their mark. They finished with 15 on that end and allowing a team like them that many second chance opportunities can make it very difficult to win.

Despite the troubles on the glass, one of the big men for Los Angeles was able to get things going. Blake Griffin had a strong third quarter and ended up leading the team in scoring with 29 points to go with 9 rebounds and 5 assists.

Griffin’s stellar performance wouldn’t be enough. In the end the negatives outweighed the positives for the Clippers and they would drop a second game in as many nights 105-97.

Los Angeles will get a night off before their next game against the Charlotte Hornets back at Staples Center Sunday.

Thanks for reading along Clipper Nation.

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