Paul drops dimes as Clippers drop Celtics
- Updated: March 28, 2016
Chris Paul put on a passing exhibition as the Los Angeles Clippers backed up their Easter win with a 114-90 victory over the Boston Celtics. Having lost their only encounter to the Celtics in the final game prior to the All-Star break, the Clippers took control of the game early and never let up as they registered their 46th win of the season.
After the Clippers missed their first two shots, they would go on to make their next 10 from the field as they took a 21-14 lead halfway through the first quarter. Boston have the best 3 point defense in the league, allowing just 33% on long-range shots however the Clippers started well from deep making three out of their first five shots to take a 30-24 lead after 12 minutes.
The Clippers are 16-3 when Wesley Johnson scored in double figures and he opened his account on Monday courtesy of a Chris Paul dime (one of 14 on the night) before a pair of Jamal Crawford three balls sandwiched a Paul Pierce mid range jump shot to give the Clippers a 16 point lead on the back of an 8-0 run midway through the second quarter.
Pierce then landed heavily after a drive to a hoop and suffered a right ankle sprain and right knee contusion and wouldn’t take any further part in the game however that didn’t slow down the boys from L.A. as they finished the half shooting 58% from the field including 7-11 from deep to take a 67-50 lead into the locker room.
It would be the 20th time in Paul’s career that he would register 10+ points and 10+ assists in a half.
Austin Rivers had 10 points off the bench while Isaiah Thomas had 17 points for the Celtics.
The Clippers offensive game continued to produce in the second half despite another quiet night from their starting backcourt however Jeff Green and Johnson produced another solid performance while Jamal Crawford hit back to back threes (4-10 3FG on the night) as part of a 13-2 Clipper run to end the third quarter and all but end the game.
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Jeff Green then had some fun in the final stanza
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as the bench unit closed out the game as they combined for 66 points to round out the win.
DeAndre Jordan finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds along with three blocks to back up his strong performance on Sunday while Paul finished with 13 points, 14 assists and three steals. Green finished with 10 points while Johnson had 11, Cole Aldrich had six points and seven rebounds as Rivers and Crawford combined for 31 as no Clipper played more than 30 minutes for the second game in succession.
Doc Rivers said after the game that Pierce would miss some time and it was his ankle rather than his knee which was more concerning however it would not threaten to end his season. Jeff Green’s minutes can expect another rise in the two games remaining before Blake Griffin’s return which could potentially see Green shift to the starting small forward position in place of Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
Rivers has been tinkering with his line ups in the last few games as the playoffs are coming quickly!
In the meantime, the Clippers will head to Minnesota to take on the young and dangerous Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
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