CLIPPERS 107, MIAMI 100: Clippers add Heat to…
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CLIPPERS 107, MIAMI 100: Clippers add Heat to the list
By Redlands Daily Facts | redlands@dfmdev.com |
The Clippers smacked down another big one Wednesday night.
They added the Miami Heat to their list of quality victims with a 107-100 victory at Staples Center, turning a close game into a laugher after point guard Chris Paul took the game and made it his with a scoring binge late in the third quarter.
That would be the defending NBA champion Miami Heat, by the way.
"It's a tough early test for us," coach Vinny Del Negro said after the Pacific Division-leading Clippers improved to 6-2. "We need to keep studying and be more consistent. That's what it's all about."
The Clippers knocked off the Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs before meeting and defeating the Heat. Tougher tests are right around the corner, including a four-game trip after Saturday's home contest against the Chicago Bulls.
"We know we're far from where we need to be," Del Negro said. "Believe me when I tell you, we will not stop trying to get better.
"These wins are good, but we're playing at home. We expect to win."
Still, the Heat's big three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were no match for Paul, Blake Griffin and the Clippers' superb second unit. The Clippers beat the Heat for the fifth consecutive game at Staples Center.
Paul drove a stake through the Heat's hearts late in the third quarter.
First, he swished a 3-pointer from near the 's' in Clippers lettering that extends across midcourt at Staples Center to beat the 24-second clock late in the third quarter of a tight game.
Officially, it was from 32 feet away.
Paul swished another 3 on the Clippers' next possession.
Then he drove, turned in midair and nearly tossed the ball into the basket as he was fouled. He made both free throws. Then he got fouled again and sank two more free throws. Then he hit one more after Wade drew a technical foul.
By the end of the third quarter, the Clippers led the Heat 85-74 after Paul scored 13 consecutive points, turning Staples Center electric. Paul had the fans on their feet and roaring and chanting, "CP3, CP3," in celebration.
"(Paul) is one of those guys who can turn it on whenever he wants to," Wade said after the game. "He can play possum the whole game and then just turn it up offensively and make it tough for you."
There was still the small matter of playing the fourth quarter, but just in case the Heat had any ideas about a comeback against the Clippers' backups, Eric Bledsoe picked up where Paul left off moments earlier.
Bledsoe scored the Clippers' first eight points of the final period, and when fellow backup guard Jamal Crawford drove for two of his team-leading 22 points, the lead swelled to 95-76 with 8 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in the game.
Crawford made 7 of 11 shots in 23 minutes, 37 seconds. Griffin added 20 points, a team-leading 14 rebounds and six assists. Paul had 16 points and 10 assists despite facing steady double-teaming defenses and Caron Butler scored 15 points.
"It's an excellent win," Del Negro said in the understatement of the night.
James scored 30 points for Miami (6-3), but Wade had only six points on 2-for-10 shooting. Wade's participation was in doubt after he suffered a sprained left foot in the Heat's victory Monday over the Houston Rockets.
The Clippers and the Heat traded spectacular dunks and jaw-dropping moves around the basket almost from the start, but all of it was mere warmup for what Bledsoe did to Wade early in the second quarter.
Wade ran ahead of the pack after the Heat pried the ball from the Clippers. He seemed destined for a crowd-pleading dunk, when Bledsoe cut him off. Wade rose, but so did Bledsoe. Higher and higher, Bledsoe soared before swatting away Wade's shot.
A sellout crowd of 19,146 roared in appreciation.
The Clippers led by as many as six points in a back-and-forth first half.
The Heat led by as many as five points.
The Clippers led after the first quarter 25-24.
The Heat led by halftime 54-52.
elliott.teaford@dailybreeze.com twitter.com/ElliottTeaford
Redlands Daily Facts