Manila, Philippines – Los Angeles Clippers prevailed against a heavy San Antonio Spurs on their home at Staples Center, Los Angeles, California tonight December 22, 2016 (Eastern Time) with a final score of 106-101.
San Antonio Spurs, who had a came back win the other night against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center but could not get another road win against short-handed Clippers without Blake Griffin for 2 consecutive games. Griffin, who still recovering from his knee surgery.
Chris Paul leads the Clipper with his 19pts and 7rebounds and 6 assist despite early exit on the late third quarter for a minor injury that prevent him to return the final quarter.
Kawhi Leonard and Pau Gasol are just 1 rebound for a double-double, Kawhi finished with 27pts while Gasol with 21pts along with their 9 rebounds each.
Danny Green who is scoreless in the first half only finished 10pts in the game, but their veteran guard Tony Paker only finished with 2pts in 1 of 8 field goals.
Clippers bench outscored the Spurs by (58-33). Marreese Speights, Jamal Crawford, Wesley Johnson and Raymond Felton combined with 46 pts on the bench. San Antonio Spurs only lead the game once in the opening 4 minutes of the game, then the Clipper takes over and controlled the game until the final buzzer.
First Quarter
San Antonio Spurs, who lead by early by (8-2) immediately erased after Clippers went 8-0 run, including JJ Redick triple that made the Clippers up by (10-8). Then Clippers went another run again 10-4 run that extends to 8pts but Spurs still managed to close out the opening period with 5pts behind 27-22.
Total Lead Changes in the game: 1
Total Deadlock in the game: 4 (2-2) (10-10) (20-20) (22-22)
Biggest Lead: 6pts (Spurs) 8-2
Biggest Lead: 8pts (Clippers) 20-12
Second Quarter
Clippers continue to outscored the visiting Spurs and they had the biggest lead on the half with 14pts under a minute to play after a triple of Chris Paul (55-41). Clippers ended the first half with a dozen leads (57-45).
Total Lead Changes in the game: 1
Total Deadlock in the game: 4
Biggest Lead: 14pts (Clippers) 55-41 and 36-50
Chris Paul now had 13pts and Kawhi Leonard with 17pts in 5-9 field goals together with his 6-6 on free throw line.
Third Quarter
Danny Green who scoreless in the first 2 period open with a triple that spark the Spurs run and they once trim the lead to (66-60) halfway in the third quarter. But Clipper bench continues to outscored the Spurs and Clippers only leading by (73-81) going into the final quarter.
Total Lead Changes in the game: 1
Total Deadlock in the game: 4
Biggest Lead: 12pts (Clippers) 79-67
Fourth Quarter
Danny Green opens again with a triple to trim the lead by 5pts (76-81) but that was the closest Spurs ever had. Clippers bench Wesley Johnson, Marreese Speights and Jamal Crawford lifted the Clippers and the lead balloon again to 13pts (100-87). Spurs only trim the lead to end the game (106-101) because of the 3 turnover of the Clippers on the end.
Total Lead Changes in the game: 1
Total Deadlock in the game: 4
Biggest Lead: 13pts (Clippers) 100-87
San Antonio Spurs now 15-2 on the road and still on the second spot in the Western Conference with 23-6 card while Los Angeles Clippers tied Houston Rockets on 3rd position with 22-8 record.
Los Angeles Clippers are now 2-0 against the Spurs, they also beat the Spurs last November 05, 2016 at AT & T center.
Spurs and Clipper will face again each other on February 24, 2016 and April 8, 2016 (Eastern Time).
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