The Clippers' dynamic duo led their teammates to a 122-117 home win against the upstart Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 12. The Clips will head into the NBA All-Star break on a high note as a result.
Griffin finished with 36 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul poured in 20 points, 12 assists, four rebounds and three steals.
In CP3’s absence, as he recovered from a separated shoulder, Griffin put the Clippers on his shoulders.
L.A. compiled a 12-6 record prior to Paul’s return. The power forward out of Oklahoma averaged 27.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest during that stretch. In a Feb. 5 loss against the two-time defending champion Miami Heat, Griffin notched 43 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
He’s been showing off advanced post moves, draining mid-range jumpers with regularity and even putting up a respectable 70.2 percent shooting clip at the charity stripe—a career high.
Quite frankly, he has taken his game to a new level in 2013-14. Regardless of whether or not the 28-year-old point guard is in the lineup beside him, he’s made a point to dominate with an array of skills.
But while Griffin flourished as the team’s No. 1 option and alpha dog with added opportunity and responsibility, the Clippers’ championship aspirations depend upon the tandem of both him and Paul.
In two games since Paul’s comeback from injury back-to-back wins against the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers Griffin is averaging 31 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 68.6 percent from the field.
He’s getting plenty of easy looks now that the All-Star floor general is wreaking havoc and drawing attention from defenders. Due to the added confidence Blake gained in recent weeks, the Clippers appear well on their way to making a title run in the loaded Western Conference.
The Clippers rank second in the league by scoring 106.7 points per game. That trails only the Trail Blazers, who score 107.7 per contest. Unlike Portland, however a team that ranks 26th in opponent points allowed the Clips have been respectable on the defensive end of the floor.
They allow opponents to shoot just 44.1 percent from the floor, ranking them seventh in the NBA. And while the Trail Blazers lit them up from behind the arc by draining 13 of 31 threes (41.9 percent), “Lob City” actually entered the night holding opponents to a league-best 32.3 percent clip from distance.
On top of those stats, the Clippers' defensive efficiency (points allowed per 100 possessions) sits at 101.8 eighth-best in the Association.
As the old adage goes, defense wins championships.
NBA Champions on Defense
Year: Champion: Opponent PPG: NBA Rank:
2012-13 Miami Heat 95 PPG 5th
2011-12 Miami Heat 92.5 PPG 4th
2010-11 Dallas Mavericks 96 PPG 10th
2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers 97 PPG 9th
2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers 99.3 PPG 13th
2007-08 Boston Celtics 90.3 PPG 2nd
2006-07 San Antonio Spurs 90.1 PPG 1st
2005-06 Miami Heat 96 PPG 14th
2004-05 San Antonio Spurs 88.4 PPG 1st
2003-04 Detroit Pistons 84.3 PPG 1st
Basketball-Reference.com
As you can see, the previous 10 NBA teams that went on to win a title finished no lower than 14th in opponent points per game.
That’s an alarming stat for the Trail Blazers, who have struggled to defend anyone this season. For the Clippers, however, their great offense has been balanced out with an above-average defense. That makes them an extremely potent and imposing threat to other teams in the Western Conference.
In fact, following Wednesday's win over the Trail Blazers, the Clippers now sport a healthy 8-6 record against Western Conference teams in playoff position. They're 20-9 overall against conference foes.
Griffin and Paul will continue to lead the way for head coach Doc Rivers' crew. They're the two All-Stars that set the tone on offense and defense, and when they're clicking together, the Clippers become an extremely difficult team to beat.
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