Rowan Kavner
LOS ANGELES – A Clippers team known for its athletic offensive displays and prowess used its defense to hold off a late-surging Thunder team in the regular season opener at STAPLES Center.
After taking a 57-56 lead in the third quarter, the Clippers led the rest of the way and held on late in a 93-90 win. An 89-82 lead shrunk to 89-88, but the Clippers forced a couple Thunder turnovers, made a couple stops and used late free throws from Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick to edge the Thunder.
Griffin led the way with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. Guard Chris Paul finished with 22 points, seven assists, four rebounds, three steals and a block. Guard Jamal Crawford was the only other Clippers player in double digits, finishing with 16 points.
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook left the game in the second quarter with a hand injury and didn’t return. That left forward Perry Jones, who finished with 32 points, to carry the offensive load for Oklahoma City.
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