The Clippers edged the Magic 107-102 in an overtime thriller. Our three ClipperBlog contributors discuss the drama in Orlando.

1. The three biggest plays of the game were…

 
Jovan Buha, ClipperBlog: (a) Glen Davis turns the ball over, leading to Caron Butler making a 3-pointer off a Chris Paul assist to put the Clippers up one with less than two minutes to go. The Clippers never trailed again after taking back the lead.

(b) Jason Richardson misses a 3-pointer, Ryan Anderson misses a tip-in lay-up and Chris Paul secures the rebound, gets fouled and makes both free throws. If either player scores, they could’ve been looking at another overtime (with a loss almost guarenteed with no centers available). Instead, Clips secure the win.

(c) Ryan Gomes and Butler grab offensive rebounds, leading to Mo Williams free throws (00:39 in OT, 105-102 Clippers). Gomes didn’t play much, but he had a crucial rebound.

Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: (a) Paul’s shot to put the Clips up three with a minute left in overtime. Who has been more clutch than Paul this season? Does anyone looked more comfortable and less rushed shooting with the shot-clock ticking down?

(b) and (c) Gomes and Butler’s offensive rebounds on the Clippers final full offensive possession. Welcome home, Ryan Gomes! I don’t know a Clippers fan who doesn’t want Gomes to turn his disappointing season around. His offensive rebound with 39 seconds left denied the Magic the chance to set up a good final shot, sending the game to its ice-it-at-the-free-throw-line phase.

Michael Shagrin, ClipperBlog: (a) Butler’s go-ahead 3-pointer. Down by two points in overtime, Williams took it down the floor (we all held our breath as he seemed to setup for a PUJIT), he dished it to Paul, who hurled a skip pass to Butler on the other side of the floor. Bingo. Clippers don’t give up the lead again.

(b) Paul’s baseline stepback on Dwight Howard. This happened immediately after Butler’s triple to extend the lead. Nobody is supposed to hit that shot over D12, particularly someone a foot shorter than him.

(c) Reggie Evans putback layup in overtime. The first basket for the Clips in OT came on a second-chance opportunity, after Evans rebounded his own point blank miss. This shot gave Evans his season high of seven points.

2. What happened in that first quarter when Orlando shot 68 percent?

 
Jovan Buha, ClipperBlog: The Magic spread the Clippers thin and dissected their defense possession by possesion. Sure, they were hot (68 percent is ridiculous), but most of their shots were chippies and high percentage attempts. Jordan was forced to leave to Howard to prevent perimeter penetration, which allowed Howard to get dunk and lay-up after dunk and lay-up. The Clippers need to figure out/improve their rotations to say the least.

Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: Part of it was just hot shooting — it seemed like the Magic were making everything they looked at from outside. More troubling was the Clippers’ pathetic defense against Howard. It wasn’t just that Howard was scoring, but how easily he was doing it. There was a lot of talk coming into this game about DeAndre Jordan’s improved defense, but tonight his tenancy to over pursue shot-blocks left him out of position more often than not.

Michael Shagrin, ClipperBlog: The Magic only made one shot from outside the key in the first quarter, with all 13 of Howard’s points coming from the painted area. The lack of interior defense by the Clippers showed a glaring Achilles heel with the the dominant big man scoring at will. There’s not really all that much Del Negro or the post defenders could have done to stop Howard, particularly in light of both the Clippers’ centers fouling out anyway.

3. How badly would a prolonged absence from Chauncey Billups — who injured his left Achilles’ tendon in the second half — hurt the Clippers?

 
Jovan Buha, ClipperBlog: It would definitely hurt them, but I’m not sure how much. At best, he’s their fourth or fifth most important player behind Paul, Blake, Butler and Jordan (you can throw Mo somewhere in there too). However, if Mo is forced to start, the bench takes a big hit production-wise with Bledsoe still out. If Foye starts? Well, you can fill in the blank. It won’t be pretty.

Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: If the Clippers are built to absorb any loss for a 3 weeks or a month, this might be it. Not the Clippers won’t miss Billups’ deadly shooting, but Williams is a former All-Star playing some of the best ball of his career, Eric Bledsoe is healthy again, and Randy Foye, well, Randy Foye was a lottery pick. The back court depth will allow Chauncey to take his time coming back.

Michael Shagrin, ClipperBlog: Between bad and very bad. The aspect of a long-term Billups injury that tilts towards being ordinarily bad is that there are plenty of backup guards on the Clippers who could nicely fit into the starting rotation, albeit with less talent and leadership. The way this injury could be very bad is if Vinny Del Negro can’t find a rotation that allows Williams to be the offensive spark with the second unit. Williams didn’t have a great game tonight, but his value is immeasurable amongst the offensively-challenged reserves.

The Clippers demolished the Wizards 107-81 to kick off their six-game road trip. Our two ClipperBlog writers — and guest contributor John Krolik — discuss what happened at the Verizon Center in Washington.

Most encouraging takeaway from the blowout win?

Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: The most encouraging takeaway from a blowout win? That it was indeed an emphatic, never-in-doubt, Wizard-destroying blowout win. The Clippers never took their collective foot off the gas, beating the Wiz by at least ten points in each of the first three quarters, and resisting the temptation up twenty to stop running the offense and start freelancing. Three quarters of dominating play earned the starters a fourth quarter on the bench cheering on the scrubs.

John Krolik, Cavs: The Blog:The Clippers’ offensive efficiency was off the charts. Ninety-five of the Clippers’ 107 points came from the paint, the free-throw line, or the 3-point line – the most efficient areas on the court. That’s not just a product of talent, it’s a product of discipline. Even with a comfortable lead, the Clips continually looked for high-percentage shots instead of relaxing and chucking up the first shot available.

Breene Murphy, ClipperBlog: Just that there was a blowout on the road. The ClipperBlog crew hung out tonight and the big question was: How many games has Ralph ever called like this in his 30+ years? 4? 5? Love seeing the starters getting rest at the start of a road-trip heavy month.

More impressive on Saturday night — Blake Griffin or DeAndre Jordan?

Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: DeAndre Jordan. Blake was good – DeAndre was perfect. 18 points on 9-11, 7 offensive rebounds, 3 blocks, and the dunk of the game. But honestly, picking one over the other misses the point. It was the tandem of Jordan and Griffin that was collectively unstoppable – the Wizards won’t be the last team on this road trip that simply lack the size, speed, and strength to match up with the Clips’ front court.

John Krolik, Cavs: The Blog: Call me spoiled by expectations, but I’m going to go with DeAndre. In a vacuum, Blake would probably get my pick, but DeAndre was the best possible version of himself, which you can’t say about Blake. 9-11 shooting from the field, one vicious dunk after another, and 7 offensive rebounds, all while shutting down the Wizards’ attempts to attack the rim.

Breene Murphy, ClipperBlog: Blake’s always more impressive. But if you’re going more relative on this, I would say DeAndre Jordan. DeAndre’s amazing dunk-rescue of Mo’s faith-based pass was the cherry on top of an incredibly efficient night.

3. Any advice to cure the Clippers’ free throw shooting woes?

Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog: Um… shoot underhand? Hypnosis? A freak, but fortuitous ulna-break a la Rookie of the Year that results in perfect shooting form? Trolls on Clipper comment boards refer to Blake’s woes from the charity stripe as “free throw despair.” To his credit, Griffin continues to attack the rim regardless of the frustrations that await him at the line – but their ineptitude will inevitably cost them a game sooner rather than later.

John Krolik, Cavs: The Blog: I’m going to get cute and suggest that Blake and DeAndre work with Rick Barry this off-season and bring back the underhanded free throw, especially for DeAndre, whose arms and giant hands are going to make it tough for him to become a good “conventional” free throw shooter. Some of Blake’s free throw issues are mental, and I think he’ll get back to 60-65 percent when his confidence comes back, but I’d love to see him make the underhanded free throw cool again — I’d like to meet the fan or player who thinks that shooting free throws underhanded is more emasculating that being on the wrong end of one of Blake’s throwdowns.

Breene Murphy, ClipperBlog: Can we get Blake to take some rhythm dribbles? At least one? I like that he’s trying to “react” as much as possible in his free throws, but it’s not like he’s a good jump shooter to start with. DeAndre, however, will probably always be a bad free throw shooter. Maybe the rest of the Clippers just have to ignore Blake and DJ’s free throw mojo for now.

The Clippers defeated the Utah Jazz 107-105 in Utah on Wednesday night. Three ClipperBlog writers breakdown and evaluate what happened.

1. The Clippers looked ___ without Caron Butler?

Jovan Buha, ClipperBlog: Vulnerable. Without Butler, the Clippers lack another small forward. Gomes is more effective and efficient as a small ball four, and has proven he isn’t reliable as a three-man. Who else can play the position? Travis Leslie? Chauncey Billups? Everyone focuses on their lack of a true back-up center (or a second offensive big man), but the small forward position is just as weak.   More...

Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE/Getty Images

Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz

7:30 p.m.

ESPN

KFWB 980 AM

For the Clippers, the challenge of beating two of the best in the West in consecutive games pales in comparison to winning against the Jazz on the road.  We’ll preview the matchup as they try to avoid their 43rd loss in 44 trips to Utah.
1. What did we learn from the Clips’ 29-point loss at Utah a couple of weeks ago?  More...

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers

7:30 p.m.

Fox Sports Prime Ticket and NBA TV

KFWB 980 AM

The Clippers return home to face the best team in the Western Conference after notching only their second road win of the year last night in Denver.  ClipperBlog’s Charlie Widdoes, Breene Murphy and Jordan Heimer preview the first of four matchups with the Thunder.

1. What’s the most important individual matchup in this game?

Charlie Widdoes, ClipperBlog:  Blake Griffin against Serge Ibaka.  Iblocka is a dynamic defender — he comes in third in the league in block rate — with the length and athleticism to give Griffin fits.  The Clippers can’t rely on jumpers like they did in Denver, so Blake’s ability to get to the hoop will be crucial if they are going to win.

Breene Murphy, ClipperBlog: It seems like there’s more mismatches than matchups in this game, so I’ll go with Paul versus Westbrook. Both are crucial to each other’s teams and could learn a lesson from the other. If Paul is as aggressive as Westbrook normally is, I think the Clips win. Though if Westbrook is as aware and shares the way Paul normally does, then the Thunder are brutally tough to beat.

Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog:  Kevin Durant vs. Caron Butler.  Although that “vs” glamorizes Butler’s role a bit. Caron will do his best to frustrate Durant with the same low-crouch hands-up defense he used guarding Kobe, preferring to be shot over than driven past. But the truth is the Clippers don’t have an obvious match-up that will bother Durant (who does, right?) At a certain point you kind of just have to hope he misses some shots.

2. Is there a better 6th man in the league than James Harden?

Charlie Widdoes, ClipperBlog:  Not for my money.  His offensive rating of 130 points per 100 possessions is off the charts.  He is as well-rounded and efficient as scorers come, shooting 48% from the floor, 39% from downtown and 88% from the line.  He’s capable of initiating the offense or scoring off the ball.  He is a smart defender.  Mo Williams might be the 2nd best 6th man in the NBA, but he is not Harden.

Breene Murphy, ClipperBlog: This year, both Lou Williams and Mo Williams have been giving James Harden a run for his money so far. Jason Terry and Jamal Crawford have the wily vet experience from the bench. But overall, I’d probably want Harden. He’s been blowing up from the bench, he’s the youngest player of the group and he’s also the only one that could be a decent defensive player.

Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog:  No.  It’s hard to imagine someone shooting much better so far this season than Mo Williams, right? Well James Harden has – and it’s not even that close. In a season where shooting accuracy for wing players is down across the board, Harden’s .672 true shooting percentage is ridiculous.

3. True or False: The Clippers take down the Thunder tonight.  

Charlie Widdoes, ClipperBlog:  True, but only if Chris Paul plays like he did in the 2nd half in Denver.  He is one of the few guards capable of staying in front of Westbrook, but the Clippers will also need him to carry the load on offense.  He must be his usual, pre-injury self to get his bigs involved in the flow and prevent Billups and Butler from feeling the need to create for themselves.

Breene Murphy, ClipperBlog: False. I know, I know. The Clippers had the Thunders’ number last year (even their only win in the first 14 games was against the Thunder), but this year’s Clip team isn’t last year’s. There aren’t good options to defend their wing players (Durant and Harden), and the Clips starters played a full load last night.

Jordan Heimer, ClipperBlog:  True. Last year’s baby Clips split the season series with the Thunder, beating them twice at home. Last night’s victory in Denver was of secondary importance to the re-emergence of the Chris Paul we saw in the games just before his injury: aggressive, shot-seeking, relentlessly breaking down the defense with his dribble. More of the same tonight results in another big Clips win.

Twitter: @charliewiddoes, @clipperheimer, @breenemurphy