(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Buzzer Reaction
 Utah Jazz |
 Los Angeles Clippers |
No Daily Dime tonight.
Tweet(s) of the Night
Richard Jefferson and Blake Griffin have both appeared in projects with Sacha Baron Cohen, but only Jefferson shared camera time w/ him.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 29, 2013
Efficiency Flow
The Depth Charge
| BENCH | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Byron Mullens, C | 7 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -9 | 0 |
| Ryan Hollins, C | DNP COACH’S DECISION | |||||||||||||
| Antawn Jamison, PF | DNP COACH’S DECISION | |||||||||||||
| Total | 7 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -9 | 0 |
(Photo via NBA.com/stats)
ClipperBlog Live’s Best Moment
No CBL tonight. We’re resting up for Bledsoe’s return.
Check Your Messages
Mr. KIA Motors
The Clippers had trouble getting into a good offensive rhythm early. Assistant coach Kevin Eastman emphasized the need for “energy” in the second half. Enter Blake Griffin.
Blake Griffin works hard at becoming a great basketball player. We often forget that Griffin has been blessed with both exceptional motor and verticality. Tonight, Griffin’s motor and drive paid off in a 40-point effort that consisted of dominance in the post, a developing jump shot and free-throw shooting (14-17, 82.3 percent). None of this was a fluke; he’s been shooting 76.2% from the line in December. Griffin’s still improving, and all the Utah bigs could do was shake their heads in amazement and disbelief.
– Davis Vo
Blake Smashes
One of the ideas Rivers has been reinforcing all season is keeping Griffin in motion; let Blake generate his force through combined strength and speed.
I assumed that would be the basic premise for tonight’s escapade as well. Utah features two hulking masses in Kanter and Favors who best seem suited to go around rather than through.
But, no. Not only did Griffin back down and collide bulk to bulk, he did so with purpose and ease. To smash into the Utah duo could not have been the game plan going in. But when Blake decides to smash, he smashes.
– Andrew Han
Blake Griffin Playing At Career-High Level
It took longer than expected, but for the first time in the 195 games he has played as Chris Paul’s teammate, Blake Griffin reached the 40-point threshold.
The fourth-year power forward carried the Los Angeles Clippers’ offense in their 98-90 win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night at Staples Center, scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter and 26 overall in the second half by using a bevy of post moves and face-up drives to overcome the Jazz’s beefy yet undersized frontline.
For the third time in four games, Griffin scored 32 points or more, which marks the only time he has done so in his career. According to Griffin, this could be the best he has ever played.
“It might be,” Griffin said after the game. “The best part about it is that we’ve won games, obviously besides those two [losses to Golden State and Portland that preceded Saturday’s win]. I think I’m learning to take what the game gives you and not try to force anything — besides tonight with those eight turnovers. I was going for that cripple-double.”
– Jovan Buha at ESPN LA
