Ballmer takes leap in Clippers win
- Updated: March 1, 2016
As expected, the Los Angeles Clippers took care of business of Monday night with a 105-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center but for once, it wasn’t Chris Paul or DeAndre Jordan stealing the show. In fact, it wasn’t any of the players from either side that were the highlights in this contest, but more on that later.
The Clippers started out slowly, perhaps because they’re not used to playing on February 29, and the Nets jumped out to a 10-2 lead before J.J. Redick caught fire to lead the Clippers to a 29-27 lead after one quarter. Redick has 10 opening quarter points before Jamal Crawford found a groove with 12 points on 4/6 shooting in the second quarter as the Clippers took a six point lead heading into the locker room.
While the players were in the locker room, that’s when the show really begun.
Steve Ballmer introduced the Clippers new mascot, Chuck the Condor.
Chuck proceeded to rev up the crowd, dance and even dunk off a mini-trampoline as he displayed a wingspan bigger than DeAndre Jordan’s.
https://vine.co/v/igi3KKMbJIl
Not only did Chuck dunk, but so did Ballmer!
https://vine.co/v/ig5WIdE0qu0
Ballmer then announced all fans in attendance – a 220th consecutive sellout – would receive a pair of red Converse Chuck Taylors, as worn by Chuck the Condor.
After what seemed like an extended half time break – similar to that of the Superbowl (I wonder what Beyonce was thinking about that performance while sitting courtside) – the players returned as the Nets failed to lie down as they took a 70-69 lead on the back of a 7-0 run.
The Clippers offense failed to fire as shots just simply would not fall (similar to the Denver game) although they would close the quarter on an 8-0 run as Chris Paul (19 points), Redick (19) and Crawford (16) combined to lead the side.
Crawford would finish with 26 points – the 10th time he has scored 20 points or more in the last 14 games after only managing that feat four times in the first 37 games – while Paul would finish with 23 points, 12 assists and six rebounds as the Clippers pulled away in the final period to chalk up their 39th win of the season. Redick finished with 19 points while Jordan managed another double double.
While it wasn’t the prettiest performance, the Clippers now remain 2.5 games behind Oklahoma City in the standings as OKC comes to town on Wednesday night in what is a crucial game in the race for the #3 seed.
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