Clippers lose to Golden State Warriors in first preseason game
The Golden State Warriors beat the Clippers, 112-94, on Tuesday night at Staples Center in the teams’ first exhibition game of the season.
Blake Griffin led both teams with 24 points and had a game-high 12 rebounds. He had a very impressive first quarter, scoring 14 points on six-for-eight shooting, including a three-pointer. On the night, he shot nine for 17 from the field and was five for six from the free-throw line.
“He’s shooting it, he’s got great confidence and our guys have confidence in him,†Clippers’ Coach Doc Rivers said of Griffin. “It gives us a great dimension for him. If he can do both of those things, post and take jump shots like he’s doing, just the spacing alone that he creates is good for us.â€
The Clippers, who led the league in scoring last season, didn’t move the ball very well. Only two other Clippers scored in double figures -- Chris Paul (14 points) and Jamal Crawford (14 points off the bench).
The Clippers struggled on defense, allowing six Warriors to score in double digits (Klay Thompson had 20 points, David Lee had 13, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green each had 12, and Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes each had 10). The Clippers had 37 personal fouls, and the Warriors shot 47 free throws.
“We just fouled on every play, I thought,†Rivers said, adding that the team looked sloppy.
Chris Paul looked sharp with the ball, finishing with a game-high nine assists. Starters J.J. Redick and Matt Barnes didn’t have great debuts. Redick struggled from the field, shooting just three for 11, and Barnes scored only four points and had two rebounds in just under 21 minutes.
“It’s early, obviously you want to win, but it is exhibition season and we’re continuing to work every day,†Barnes said. “It’s going to take a little bit of time.â€
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