Recap – Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
- Updated: October 31, 2014
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12), of New Zealand during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. The Clippers won 93-90. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Los Angeles Clippers brought a win home to the Staples Center last night as they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 93-90.
Not only was it a big win for the home fans, but it was also the first victory for new owner, Steve Ballmer. During a timeout, the video board switched to show Ballmer, who had his face contorted and his hands clapping furiously as fans cheered. He sported wrinkled khaki pants and a checkered shirt and with his credential hung around his neck, Ballmer fit right in and looked like an average fan.
The Clippers struggled throughout. They didn’t shoot well, and they couldn’t build more than a 10-point lead but they brought home the “W.” Blake Griffin scored 23 points, making two clutch free throws with five seconds left in the game. Chris Paul added 22 while Oklahoma City Thunder lost another star to injury when Russell Westbrook broke his right hand.
“It was pretty ugly,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “We have 81 more games to fix it. What I was proud of, they kept fighting defensively,” Rivers said. “I don’t know that we win this game last year.”
The Los Angeles Clipper’s newest campaign “Be Relentless” was not in full effect last night with the Thunder taking control of the game and scoring eight-straight points. This made Ballmer mad as he cupped has hands and yelled at the bench.
“What I was proud of, they kept fighting defensively,” Rivers said. “I don’t know that we win this game last year.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder were already without MVP Kevin Durant, they also lost their second star, Russell Westbrook, who left Staples Center in a soft cast.
“It’s unfortunate the way it is right now, but we have to figure out how to get better from all of our experiences,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “Good teams and good players bounce back from adversity, and our guys understand.”
“I’m just glad we all fought and didn’t give up despite the injury,” Jones said. “I don’t know why it’s going on, but all we can do is play our hearts out and keep fighting until everybody gets back.”
Blake Griffin fouled out after he and Ibaka were called for double fouls. Redick made up for his earlier misses when he went to the line and hit both free throws for a 93-90 lead with two seconds left.
The Clippers shot 39 percent from the floor and got outrebounded 47-33.
“We had to defend in order to win the game,” Paul said. “That’s what great teams are built off of, defense and rebounding.”
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