AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Buzzer Reaction
 Chicago Bulls |
 Los Angeles Clippers |
MVP: Clippers C DeAndre Jordan did work on the Bulls, putting in 17 points, 20 rebounds, and four blocked shots in a team-high 36 minutes. In addition to making six of his seven field goals, Jordan also made 5-of-8 FTs while tying his career high with four assists, so it was more than just the usual for Jordan against the Bulls.
That was … the complete opposite of the December game in Chicago: On December 10, the Bulls held the Clippers to a season-low 80 points, as the Clippers shot 34.1 percent from the field in a three-point loss. The Clippers did make 10-of-22 threes in that game though, and the threes kept flowing in Sunday’s nationally televised matinee, as the Clippers made 17-of-32 from deep. The difference was that the Clippers made field goals inside the arc as well, finishing the game with a 53.6 percent clip from the field overall. The 120 points scored by the Clippers is the 4th-highest point total of the season, while the 27-point win marks the 3rd-largest margin of victory for the Clippers this season.
X factor: No Lance Stephenson this time (only nine minutes), but the bench continues to punish the opposition. Jamal Crawford had a game-high 26 points, while the Bulls had 18 total bench points. Austin Rivers made 5-of-6 three-pointers; the Bulls as a team went 5-of-15 from downtown. And Wesley Johnson slid back into a reserve role and had 11 points in 20 minutes.
— Law Murray
Tweet(s) Of The Game
Covered Jamal Crawford as a rookie. His fearlessness and ability to score in spurts has never changed.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 31, 2016
To take a cue from this guy, the Bulls defense rated: Stink, stank, stunk. pic.twitter.com/uBPBHHhan3
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) February 1, 2016
Jamal Crawford dazzling the Clippers with his handle, lays it in off the glass pic.twitter.com/fO2Up6gJGA
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) January 31, 2016
Ballmer lol https://t.co/XDEY86gf2h
— Rob Perezingis (@World_Wide_Wob) January 31, 2016
JJ Redick blows uncontested fast break layup. Then hits contested 3 with hand in his face.
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) January 31, 2016
Redick is one of those guys that wasn't supposed to be this good. Can see the work he put in once he became a pro
— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) January 31, 2016
Last man to the locker room today? @JCrossover! He's dancing now! 👀 pic.twitter.com/h0wucn3B0J
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 31, 2016
Check Your Messages
Take 3
I like to do 16-game splits, so with game 48 in the books, here’s how the Clippers look:
First 16 games: 8-8
Next 16 games: 11-5
Last 16 games: 13-3
Oh, word? The Clippers have gotten better and better as the season has gone on. The last split is without Blake Griffin, who we won’t see for the rest of winter. Since December 29th, the Clippers are 5th in offensive efficiency and 4th in defensive efficiency. The only team that is in the top-five in both categories in that time span is San Antonio. The only team other than the Spurs with a higher net rating than the Clippers in that time span is Golden State.
Qualify the competition if you want to – the Clippers are playing elite level basketball at the moment. The Bulls were just the latest victim in what was one of the most impressive stretches in Clippers franchise history.
– Law Murray
