Trail Blazers at Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers had no trouble with the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 and will try to take a 2-0 lead when they host Game 2 on Wednesday. The Clippers coasted to a 115-95 victory in the series opener behind 28 points and 11 assists from Chris Paul and a solid defensive effort against the Trail Blazers’ talented backcourt.
Paul had plenty of help from the rest of his teammates, including a strong game from Blake Griffin that made it look as if the former All-Star was all the way back from his quad and hand injuries. “I'm just going to go play and play as hard as I can and fill any void that we see as a team,” Griffin told reporters. “I'm not really worried about the whole, ‘Can he get back?’ or, ‘Will he be able to play at a high level?’ It's just about filling those gaps for our team and finding ways to help.” The Trail Blazers could use a solid performance from their frontcourt after starters Al-Farouq Aminu, Maurice Harkless and Mason Plumlee combined to go 7-of-25 from the field. The vaunted backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum wasn’t much better offensively and struggled trying to stop Chris Paul and J.J. Redick on the other end of the floor.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, KGW (Portland), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Lillard managed 21 points on 7-of-17 shooting and eight assists in Game 1 but was no match for Paul in his first playoff game as the unquestioned leader of the team. "We knew that they would make runs, but you've got to answer back," Lillard told reporters. "You've got to get stops. You've got to score the ball." Lillard helped drag the team to the playoffs despite losing four veteran starters from a playoff team last season and needs more help from McCollum, who struggled to nine points on 3-of-11 shooting in Game 1.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Integrating Griffin back into the rotation after an absence of over three months was a focus for the team in the final two weeks of the regular season, and he looked comfortable in Game 1. "He was great,” Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers told reporters of Griffin. “Assertive. I loved his energy. Yeah, I mean, like I said before the game, I've been surprised with him. His energy, his endurance. (Sunday), I thought was the first day that he had great timing as well, so that was good for us.” Griffin delivered 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes after playing only five games down the stretch in the regular season.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Trail Blazers G Gerald Henderson scored 16 points in 30 minutes off the bench in Game 1.
2. Clippers starting SF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute did not attempt a shot in 19 minutes.
3. Los Angeles C DeAndre Jordan collected 18 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks and was 8-of-18 from the free-throw line after heading to the stripe for several trips late with Portland trying to get back into the game.