Rowan Kavner
LOS ANGELES – The Clippers know it’s going to take time with so many new players for everything to look smooth on a nightly basis.
As they get set to host the Suns (2-1) on Monday night, the Clippers (3-0) hope their learning experiences will still result in wins the way they have through three games early this year.
“If you can learn lessons in wins, it’s better than learning lessons in losses,” said Jamal Crawford.
While the second unit figures out how to play with one another, the starters are once again rolling per the usual, with Blake Griffin averaging 32 points per game, Chris Paul averaging nine assists per game and DeAndre Jordan averaging 15 rebounds per game.
“We’ve had four or five years now of not making it as far in the playoffs as we want,” Griffin said. “We can’t do the same things and expect to get there. We have to sacrifice something, and I think guys are doing that.”
LAST TIME OUT
Clippers 114, Kings 109 – Sacramento put up a fight in the second half despite losing DeMarcus Cousins, but much like in the season opener between these teams, the Clippers did enough late with the help of Blake Griffin to finish off the job. Griffin finished with 37 points, nine rebounds and six assists while DeAndre Jordan added 15 points, 18 rebounds and seven blocks.
Suns 101, Trail Blazers 90 – Much like the Clippers have done with the Kings, the Suns took full advantage of two early-season matchups against Portland, beating the Trail Blazers twice in their first three games. Eric Bledsoe scored 33 points and a strong fourth quarter for the Suns helped put away the Trail Blazers in Portland.
NOTEWORTHY MATCHUP
Clippers’ Backcourt vs. Suns’ Backcourt – The Clippers are about to see their most formidable and deep backcourt matchup of the young season, as Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe have led the way for Phoenix. Bledsoe and Knight are both averaging at least 20 points and four assists per game apiece. On Halloween, the duo became the first Suns teammates to each record at least 25 points and five assists in a game since Steve Nash and Raja Bell in 2006.
It’ll be a good test for Chris Paul, who’s nearly averaging a double-double with 14.7 points and nine assists per game, and J.J. Redick, who’s started the season hot and is scoring 16.7 points per game so far.
TWO THINGS TO WATCH
Energy – Specifically, trying to avoid another lack thereof in this regard. Doc Rivers thought the Clippers lacked energy throughout their close call at home against the Kings, and he thought the backup group was just as flat if not worse. Rivers said sometimes the first home game after a home opener can lack energy, but it’ll be something the Clippers can’t afford to do for long if they want to keep their winning streak intact.
On the bright side, Rivers and the Clippers do like what they see from Lance Stephenson from an energy standpoint with the starters. J.J. Redick’s looking for more cohesiveness when it comes to energy so it’s not just one or two players on the floor exhibiting that liveliness.
On the bright side, Rivers and the Clippers do like what they see from Lance Stephenson from an energy standpoint with the starters. J.J. Redick’s looking for more cohesiveness when it comes to energy so it’s not just one or two players on the floor exhibiting that liveliness.
Griffin’s Dominance – It’s been a heck of a start to the year for Blake Griffin, who’s averaging 32 points and nine rebounds per game while shooting 64.4 percent from the floor. Rivers said the Clippers are taking advantage of teams switching on the pick-and-roll, and strong spacing from the starters is allowing Griffin to find himself in favorable situations.
No one’s been able to slow down Griffin yet, as the star forward’s hit at least 59 percent of his shots while making double-digit field goals in each of his first three games. Griffin’s getting good looks and hitting them, and his teammates are finding him. Now he’ll go against a team he put up a season-high 45 points against last year in one of his four matchups versus the Suns.
No one’s been able to slow down Griffin yet, as the star forward’s hit at least 59 percent of his shots while making double-digit field goals in each of his first three games. Griffin’s getting good looks and hitting them, and his teammates are finding him. Now he’ll go against a team he put up a season-high 45 points against last year in one of his four matchups versus the Suns.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Blake Griffin – “From the start of training camp, we always talked about doing the little things, like not wasting any time. We’ve had a rough road and learned a lot of lessons over the last four or five years. We didn’t want to keep making the same mistakes, and I think that’s where we don’t want to lose focus.”
J.J. Redick – “I just want to be about hoop during the season. Obviously I have obligations to my wife and my son, but outside of them, I would say basketball is the focus. Our collective group…that is what they’re about, too. There’s a focus on just being about basketball.”
NOTES: The Clippers have won each of the last seven matchups against the Suns, sweeping the series last year … The Clippers’ series sweep last season was their first ever in the history of the series … DeAndre Jordan is averaging five blocks and, once again, 15 rebounds per game … Eric Bledsoe was drafted 18th overall by the Clippers in 2010, playing his first three NBA seasons with the team .. The Clippers and the Suns were involved in a three-team trade last season which sent Reggie Bullock to Phoenix and Chris Douglas-Roberts and a 2017 second-round pick to Boston, while the Clippers received Austin Rivers …
