LOS ANGELES – None of the Clippers panicked after a preseason opener that looked far from the crisp, cohesive unit head coach Doc Rivers described throughout training camp.
Playing without any rest one night later at Wednesday’s preseason home opener, they showed why there’s little to worry about in a 104-98 win against the Raptors.
It’s still Chris Paul, who dished out 15 assists. It’s still DeAndre Jordan, who was the recipient of plenty of those lobs on his way to 14 points and 10 rebounds. And it’s still Blake Griffin, though perhaps a revamped version, as Griffin consistently knocked down mid-range jumpers before taking a step back and hitting from behind the arc, going 2-for-3 from 3-point range.
Griffin finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists on 10-for-13 shooting, helping the Clippers to an 85-68 advantage after three quarters, at which point the night was over for the star trio.
The Clippers’ offense, which looked stagnant in the opener, took a complete 180 from the jump, playing back home for the first time this year at STAPLES Center and hitting 11 of their first 15 shots, finishing the first quarter with 33 points.
Toronto went on a 23-5 run to start the fourth quarter against the Clippers’ backups, even taking a 91-90 lead at one point, but Clippers rookie Diamond Stone got the lead back and Raymond Felton and Wesley Johnson helped secure the victory in the final minutes.
Felton and Austin Rivers joined Paul, Griffin and Jordan in the starting lineup, with J.J. Redick getting a scheduled night off.
Rowan Kavner: Digital Content Coordinator, Los Angeles Clippers