Game #20: Phoenix Suns (12-9) @ Los Angeles Clippers (14-5)

[mkwest]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/542220283512229888[/tweet]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRg1-xKMZ74[/youtube]



[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgN6l2BTTZw[/youtube]

[Dynamix]

Suns came out to play hard, Redick/Barnes/CP3 had a rough time at the 3P line, and the refs woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but all this evened out with that incredible bounce.

What a game from Blake and that winning shot could have unlocked something inside to take him to the next level. He was almost never a factor on these deciding plays in the past because opponents just kept him away from the basket, so we always went to our guards.
But having his outside shots fall at an increasing rate, especially in late game situations like tonight, means we might see him in this position more often. I'm not saying we should run the "Blake takes a desperation three" play every time, just having him out there as a valid option will help us in tough situations. Also, defenders will no longer be able to live with him taking easy jump shots, giving Blake more freedom to try and attack the rim, which should always be his priority.

P.S. That slam was pretty sick too.

[QRich3]

god dammit I can't be more pissed that I couldn't watch this one live! Glad we got out of this one though, if we can get a decent record on our upcoming mini road trip through the east, we should have a great cushion leading up to the Christmas games against the Spurs and the Warriors. Things aren't looking too bad for the season tbh

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Just loving that shot even more now, I can't get enough. I can't believe Blake's shot bounced around and went in. Just crazy!

[Wammy Giveaway]

Lot of things to digest:

1. This game was rigged. The shot clock malfunctioning. Jamal Crawford's immediate ejection. The refs wanted to make sure the Suns won that game. According to a friend of mine on Twitter, one of Griffin's offensive fouls was both legit and a flop, so he concluded that Griffin was rigging the game too with the knowledge that the refs were doing the same things to them. No matter who they face, the Clippers will always be the underdogs. This game officially proves that the refs hate the Clips, and will do anything to make sure they lose their games.

2. R.I.P. "All he can do is dunk." Griffin's Sudden Death 3-pointer officially sheds that monkey moniker off his back. It was a lucky bounce, but a bounce needed to prove to the world that Griffin has changed. And as for easily getting baited into technical fouls and pray for an ejection, that move's dead now.

3. Preseason was used against them. Lack of a killer instinct against any team, check. Allowing the calls to get the best of them, check. Player ejected from a game, check plus. In fact, Crawford's ejection exposed the world of their weak small forward spot, which can be considered a check mate. Griffin becoming a dual forward (play both 3 and 4) to compensate for the lack of a real small forward... in progress with a nice start.

[nickhx2]

Suns came out to play hard, Redick/Barnes/CP3 had a rough time at the 3P line, and the refs woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but all this evened out with that incredible bounce.

What a game from Blake and that winning shot could have unlocked something inside to take him to the next level. He was almost never a factor on these deciding plays in the past because opponents just kept him away from the basket, so we always went to our guards.
But having his outside shots fall at an increasing rate, especially in late game situations like tonight, means we might see him in this position more often. I'm not saying we should run the "Blake takes a desperation three" play every time, just having him out there as a valid option will help us in tough situations. Also, defenders will no longer be able to live with him taking easy jump shots, giving Blake more freedom to try and attack the rim, which should always be his priority.

P.S. That slam was pretty sick too.

This game was super important for blake. Not even cause of the game winner, but sometime before that he hit a super clutch jumper to keep us in the game, something he's never really done before. I have a feeling that those two shots will flick a switch on for him. We needed this game to happen for him to open the next gate for his development.

[illastrate]

@DanWoikeSports: Blake Griffin's last 6 games: 29.5 ppg, 7.8 reb, 3.3. ast, 60.7 FG % and 81.5 FT %. Averaging 9 FT attempts a night, too.

He's back in the MVP convo.

[mike3]

Just so ya'll know, I'll be making a highlight reel recap of this game. It's just too sick not too.

[mkwest]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_MKhhQQoA[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPi1669-7a4[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q10oGsWYjU[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3_1erBaf6Y[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnL7d48Eu0I[/youtube]

[Clemenza]

Wow what a game and what a finish.. Man I hope this is Blake taking that next to step to super stardom. The way he demanded the ball late in the 4th and OT damn near brought a tear to my eye. He even made 'The Dribbler' CP3 give him the ball so he could put the team on his back. Man..


-On a side note Bledsoe was a beast in that game. Damn near wish he was still in the red, white, and blue

[mkwest]

-On a side note Bledsoe was a beast in that game. Damn near wish he was still in the red, white, and blue

I would have loved to have seen Bledsoe play a season with us under Doc.

[mttwlsn16]

JJ Redicks quote was the best

[playaloc916]

What a crazy finish! I especially liked how they shoved Tucker out of the way when they were celebrating. Adding insult to injury. And he did a good job contesting the shot too.