Clippers' DeAndre Jordan is effective in fourth quarterJordan played 4 minutes 13 seconds in the final quarter. He had just two points. But he had four rebounds and played a big role in defending Dwight Howard.
"I was really just trying to stay active," Jordan said. "I was running the floor, get as many rebounds as possible, fight Dwight, fight the catch and just force him to take some tough shots.""I like playing against guys like that," Jordan said. "He's going to bring it every time down the court. He's a fast 'big' like us. He runs the floor, he's strong. So you know you've got to bring it. Guys like that always make you push to that next level."
For the game, Jordan played 28:38 and had four points and 13 rebounds.
"I thought DJ was very active, especially with his 13 rebounds," said Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro. "He made a big impact on the game, no question."
Brad Turner, LA Times
CLIPPERS WIN FIRST PACIFIC DIVISION TITLEA large message flashed on the video board at Staples Center long after the teams exited the floor reading: “Pacific Division Champions.” It was a moment of triumph for Clippers fans as they unleashed one of their most passionate ovations of the season as Caron Butler pulled down the final rebound and the Clippers dribbled out the clock.“It means a lot,” Paul said Sunday. “It means that we’re headed in the right direction. There was no cake, no champagne popping or nothing like that in the locker room. I think that says even more about our team and that we aren’t satisfied. We understand that this is something small compared to the big picture.”It was clear afterwards that the division title was more of checkmark than a celebration. When the team arrived in the locker room after the game, they acknowledged the accomplishment, but did not take it any further. There were red commemorative t-shirts on each player’s chair, no one put them on.
“We’ve kind of had the mindset that this is what we were supposed to do,” Griffin said. “We want something a little bit more than that.”
Eric Patten, Clippers.com
GRIFFIN & PAUL SET TONE FROM OPENING TIP“I think me and Blake set the tone,” Paul said. “We talked about it after the game, when myself along with Blake comes out aggressive like that on both ends of the court, it makes us a lot tougher to beat.”“I think whenever those two guys are aggressive it opens up the floor,” said Jamal Crawford, who scored 20 points, a league high for players off the bench.“That’s how we’re supposed to play,” Jordan said. “As long as we bring that type of energy from the jump ball to the end of the game, we’ll be okay.”
On Sunday, that type of energy started well before tipoff. You could see it Griffin’s eyes.
Eric Patten, Clippers.com
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for you (the fans) for supporting a team that beat the lakers.