Clippers Narrowly Escape Blazers 121-120

By Connor Aylward
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Updated: December 12, 2016

Coming in on a three game losing streak the Portland Trailblazers took on your Los Angeles Clippers Monday Night at Staples Center.

A quick start for Clippers Superstar Blake Griffin helped them get an early lead but this would be a game filled with counterpunches. The sizzling start helped Griffin finish the night with a team-leading 26 points to go along with 6 assists and 12 rebounds giving him yet another double-double.

The Trailblazers counter however came from an unlikely source, Mason Plumlee. Plumlee’s energy was unmatched for most of the night by any Clipper and it allowed him to have a career game. Closing out with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists it’s safe to say the former Blue Devil shined in a matchup where his team needed him to.

These two playoff foes from last season kept it close throughout. Matching one bucket with another all the way down to the last shot. Needless to say though the bigs of these two squads weren’t the only ones glimmering as time dwindled down.

Chris Paul was being the “Point God” we’ve come to expect this season starting off the second half with a bang and never slowing.

The second half is underway on @NBATV! #NBARapidReplay #ItTakesEverything https://t.co/Hdzh5RHBx1

— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2016

Paul ended up with his own double-double notching 21 points and 14 assists.

CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard responded. Having a combined 49 points the duo kept their squad in it all the way up to the final buzzer.

But the fighting between the two teams took a more literal form as things looked to be finished. A late skirmish between DeAndre Jordan and Portland’s Evan Turner saw the two ejected with just 11 seconds remaining in the contest. Luckily for Los Angeles this didn’t negatively effect the result.

It was Paul and his Clippers that would come away successful with a 121-120 victory as some costly fouls late hurt Portland and Los Angeles was able to capitalize.

The Clippers escape with a much needed narrow win before starting a short 3 game road trip on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.

Thanks for reading along Clipper Nation. Here’s to the Clippers continuing this winning streak on the road.

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