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24 Seconds With…Chris Paul

Rowan Kavner

LOS ANGELES – On the Clippers’ most recent road trip, Knicks head coach Derek Fisher couldn’t help but throw Chris Paul in the MVP conversation.

The Clippers’ star guard has been on the court every game this season and has taken his game to new heights since the All-Star break, averaging 19.1 points and 11.5 assists per game in February and 22.3 points and 10.9 assists in March.

Paul talked after finishing up the Clippers’ three-game East Coast road trip about the state of the team, the playoff push and any changes he sees.

Do you guys feel you’ve taken your game to another level?

CP: “If you look around the league, most of the teams right now are gearing up, playing well, finding that rhythm going into the playoffs, and I think we’re playing pretty well right now. I always say it, but we’re trying to make sure we’re playing the right way.”

You guys have won seven straight. What’s been the key?

CP: “Our offensive execution has been amazing, but we’ve defended. We’ve held a couple teams to 16-point quarters, 19-point quarters, and we’ve got to keep doing that defensively.”

What’s changed defensively for you guys?

CP: “Just being there for each other. (DeAndre Jordan) covers up so many mistakes on the defensive end. But now when he goes and helps guys, we’re trying to be there to help him.”

You mentioned the offensive execution. You guys have vaulted back up to the top offensive rating in the league. Has anything been different?

CP: “I think ball movement. We’re passing up good shots for great shots. Obviously with Blake (Griffin) back, it makes us that much more dangerous. He’s one of the best passers on the team and then when he gets to scoring, you just have to pick your poison… He’s so unselfish. At times, we’ve got to tell him to go dominate. I think he does a great job right now of picking his spots. He feels it out.”

Do you guys feel as locked in as ever?

CP: “Yeah, I think so, and this is the time. We’ve got to be locked in offensively and defensively.”

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