NBA Game Recap - Phoenix at LA Clippers
Sat Oct 21, 2017 10:30 PM EDT

PHI
94
TOR
128
F
GS
101
MEM
111
F
DET
111
NY
107
F
IND
108
MIA
112
F
DAL
91
HOU
107
F
ORL
114
CLE
93
F
SA
87
CHI
77
F
POR
110
MIL
113
F
OKC
87
UTA
96
F
SAC
79
DEN
96
F
PHO
88
LAC
130
F

Oct 21, 2017, 10:30 PM EDT

Final

1

2

3

4

T

Phoenix

18

26

20

24

88

LA Clippers

23

35

32

40

130

Griffin, Beverley lead Clippers in rout over Suns
Sun Oct 22, 2017 3:14 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) With two straight blowout wins, the Los Angeles Clippers like how they're playing.

Blake Griffin had 29 points and eight rebounds, Patrick Beverley added 15 points and six steals, and the Clippers cruised to a 130-88 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night in their home opener.

The Clippers are a revamped team this season with nine new players, but early signs are only positive. The defeated the Lakers 108-82 in their season opener.

"I like how the ball's moving, I like our pace," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "A lot of guys are handling the ball, a lot of guys are contributing."

The only bad news was watching new starting point guard Milos Teodosic have to be carried off the floor in the second quarter with a left foot injury. The Clippers said X-rays were negative, but Teodosic left on crutches and is scheduled to have an MRI on Sunday.

There was little but bad news for the young Suns (0-3), who trailed by 14 at the half and then saw the Clippers open the third quarter with a 14-2 run to take complete command.

"We had a chance to take back into the lead to start the third quarter," Suns coach Earl Watson said. "We had a chance to cut it to seven instead of 20. Once it hit 20 we could never bounce back."

Only two starts finished in double figures, Devin Booker scored 13 points and rookie Josh Jackson had 12 points. Reserve center Alex Len led Phoenix with 15 points.

"I thought we started out pretty well," Watson said. "The third game in four nights, you never know what takes effect with a young team. At the same time, I'd like to see the fight be a little bit more. Or a lot more, until you know they're just fatigued."

TIP-INS

Suns: Phoenix has the youngest team in the NBA. It is starting the season with four rookies and four second-year players. Forward Dragan Bender is 19 and three others are 20.

Clippers: With nine new players this season, it figures to be a while before Rivers is certain exactly what kind of team he has. Said Rivers: "I think I know this group and know their talent level. I don't know what kind of team we have yet."

TEODOSIC INJURED

The Serbian who took over at the point for Chris Paul, was starting his second game. The 30-year-old rookie was a six-time all EuroLeague selection.

After Gallinari missed a 3-point attempt, Teodosic came crashing to the floor near the far end line. He immediately grabbed his left foot/ankle area and motioned to the bench.

"It's definitely a foot injury but we don't know what it is," Rivers said. "He's down because he obviously came over here to play basketball, not to be injured. So let's just hope he's not."

GRIFFIN ROLLING

With three starters gone from last season's team, the Clippers figure to look more than ever to their power forward to lead the way. He seems eager to respond.

"It all starts with Blake offensively," said Clippers center DeAndre Jordan. "We'll follow his lead. And he's playing great."

UP NEXT

Suns: Host the Sacramento Kings on Monday. Sacramento defeated Phoenix three times in four meetings last season.

Clippers: Host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. The Clippers took three out of four games from the Jazz last season.

Leaders

Phoenix PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
A. Len 15 -17 2 7 0 1
D. Booker 13 -21 2 4 0 0
LA Clippers PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
B. Griffin 29 15 4 8 1 1
L. Williams 18 16 6 3 0 0

Team Comparison

PHO LAC
Points For 88 130
Field Goals 27/71-38% 48/88-55%
Three Pointers 6/24-25% 12/26-46%
Free Throws 28/38-74% 22/30-73%
Offensive Rebounds 4 10
Defensive Rebounds 32 42
Rebounds 45 57
Blocks 3 2
Steals 8 12
Turnovers 19 12
Points Scored Off Turnovers 9 32
Points in the Paint 36 66
Fast Break Points 5 19
Personal Fouls 27 32
Technical Fouls 1 0
Flagrant Fouls 0 0
Ejections 0 0

2017-18 Reg Season - LAC Leads Series 1-0

Date Result Away Pts Ldr Home Pts Ldr
Sat Oct 21 PHO 88 @ LAC 130 A. Len 15 B. Griffin 29

Game Information

Stadium: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Attendance: 19,068
Game Time: 2:13