Clippers Beat Griffin And Pistons 108-95
- Updated: February 9, 2018
After a 4 day long break the Los Angeles Clippers flew out to Detroit Friday night to take on their own former Superstar, current Piston, Blake Griffin. This game clearly had special meaning to Griffin, whom was professional in his approach prior to the matchup at Little Caesar’s Arena.
Blake Griffin on playing the #Clippers tonight: I know these guys really well so I can’t say it’s just another game. I’m not the guy to be all buddy-buddy during games. It’s going to be a war.
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) February 9, 2018
Griffin was forcing things early against his former team and got off to a slow 0-4 start. Luckily for the Pistons that tepid start didn’t last long for the big man as Griffin started to take off after he nailed his first shot. The energy Griffin brings to this Detroit team is clear and there was one point where Griffin got a half full Arena on their feet and screaming so loud it left the Clippers faithful fond with memories of the past.
🚫 DENIED! 🚫
Blake Griffin with the monster block!
📺: @ESPNNBApic.twitter.com/W5BDcZkdc5
— NBA (@NBA) February 10, 2018
Griffin contributed in a myriad of ways putting together a complete performance of 19 points along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
With Griffin having yet another stellar game for his new squad, the Clippers needed some of their own stars to step up if they were going to stay competitive against the streaking Pistons team. Los Angeles found that production in what has been a familiar place this season, the bench.
Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell led Los Angeles throughout the game with their energy and confidence in limited minutes. Harrell has become known for monstrous slams and momentum shifting runs and Friday was no different. Harrell crashed into the paint all game long and managed to finish with an impressive 18 points and 4 rebounds against the tough Pistons front-court. Williams has been this team’s catalyst on the offensive end all season long and he also kept true to form. Williams closed this one out with 26 points and 6 assists.
Griffin having a solid night probably won’t surprise you when reading this recap. Williams and Harrell stepping up when needed for their squad might not either. Something that will is what Reggie Bullock did for Detroit in this contest. Bullock, a former Clippers second round pick, never received much playing time for Los Angeles in his time with the club and the team and fanbase hardly thought much of him when they got rid of him. However Bullock looked to be out for revenge against his former team in this game as he was money from long range shooting 5-9 from beyond the arc. Bullock finished with 19 points, well above his season average of 8.9 per game.
This was a back and forth contest that saw both teams exchanging the lead. A magnificent fourth quarter for the Clippers that saw them dominate the quarter 31-15 was enough to put them over the edge and get a 108-95 victory.
Huge win in an emotional game for Los Angeles as not many knew what to expect playing against a player as monumental as Griffin was to the franchise. This was Detroit’s first loss since trading for Griffin.
The Clippers will be on the road again tomorrow as they head to Philadelphia to take on the upcoming 76ers.
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