Clippers Fall To Westbrook, Thunder 85-83
- Updated: November 3, 2016
The Oklahoma City Thunder came to Staples Center in Los Angeles Wednesday night to take on the Clippers in a showdown between two of the best point guards in the league. The two superstars would not disappoint.
Russ vs. CP3
We know exactly how you can spend the rain delay –> https://t.co/uRSUGWaIus pic.twitter.com/fPyAh8sVTV
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 3, 2016
Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook was the showdown all were keeping their eyes on and the two went back and forth all night. While it was Westbrook whom ultimately led his Thunder to the win, Paul certainly didn’t disappoint. The “Point God” ended the night just one assist shy of a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists after getting off to a very slow first quarter start.
Westbrook on the other hand never seemed to slow his scoring pace, closing it out with 35 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Los Angeles did force the Oklahoma City star to commit 10 turnovers but couldn’t take advantage of them.
Speaking of not being able to take advantage of opportunities, Blake Griffin had a rough night from the field. Shooting 7 of 21 from the field and finishing with just 14 points it’s safe to say the star had an off night shooting the rock. He made up for it in other ways with 9 rebounds and 5 assists but it seems his team needed a bit more from him.
Somebody that did shine for the Clippers came off the bench, Marreese Speights. Speights had 14 points in 16 minutes and knocked down a momentum shifting three-pointer to end out the first quarter. Another bench player though may have had the surprise of the game. Brandon Bass subbed in for Griffin tonight after he got into foul trouble and then improbably nailed a buzzer beating three pointer to end the third quarter.
Brandon Bass makes a 35-foot three pointer at the buzzer! 👌🙌👌
End of 3: Clippers lead the @okcthunder 66-65. pic.twitter.com/BUUYSCKSGl
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 3, 2016
To put that into perspective he’s a career 20% three-point shooter.
Sadly the Clippers didn’t bring enough of Bass’ with luck with them to come away with the win. Oklahoma City would escape this one with a narrow 85-83 win in what was a defensive showdown between the two Western Conference powers.
The loss moves the Clippers to 3-1 on the season.
Next Los Angeles will head to Memphis to take on the rival Grizzlies Friday night at 5 PM PST.
Thanks for reading along Clipper Nation, let’s hope for a better result in Memphis.
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