12 takeaways from Clippers taking Game 2, 93-91 vs Grizzlies

Jamal Crawford #11 and Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrate against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images)

The Miami Heat may have their big three. The Clippers have Chris Paul. That’s how far I’m looking at, the Clippers vs the Heat in the finals. The LA Clippers took Game 2 in their first round best of seven series, 93-91. They now lead the series 2-0. Here are 12 takeaways from this game

Chris Paul is the man

With the game on the line, Chris Paul dribbled to the top of the key and sized up one of the best defenders in the league Tony Allen. Paul didn’t hit him with a crossover, he instead drove to his right, got stopped, lowered his shoulder and plowed ahead and then banked in an awkward floater. Game over. It’s doubtful if there is a better closer in the playoffs right now than Chris Paul. He had the last 8 points of the Clippers as he finished with 24 points and 9 assists.

A tribe called benchThe LA Clippers possibly have the best bench in the league. If you would replace the starters of the Bobcats with this bunch, their record would be a lot better. They didn’t disappoint today as Jamal Crawford finished with 15 points, Matt Barnes added 7 and Eric Bledsoe had 8 to go with 4 rebounds. While Lamar Odom did no score he did have 5 rebounds, 2 assists and one block.

Griffin comes out strong

In Game 1 Blake Griffin was limited to 10 points. Today he had 13 in the first quarter alone. He came out of the gate aggressively and finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

Battle of the boards

The Clippers completely owned the Grizzlies on the glass in Game 1. Today they out-rebounded them 40-38 as both Griffin and Jordan had 8 rebounds a piece and Billups, Paul and Bledsoe added 4 each. For the Grizzlies Tony Allen added 10 rebounds.

Chris Paul comes strong in third

Paul had 11 points and 3 assists in the third quarter alone. He tends to get his teammates going in the initial stages of the game and shoulders the burden of scoring in the late stages.

Defensive average shattered

This year was the first time in seven years that a team held its opponents to under 90 points on an average throughout a season; the Memphis Grizzlies accomplished it this year. Don’t tell that to the Clippers though, they dropped 112 points on the Grizzlies in Game 1 and today, they had 93.

Blocks

The Clippers had 10 blocks as a team, the most of any team in the playoffs thus far. Jordan had 4 to lead them.

Z-Bo’s foul trouble

With 4:34 left in the game Zach Randolph went to the bench with his 5th foul. In the first game he picked up his 5th with 5 minutes remaining in the game. The Grizzlies need their big man on the court to close out games, and to be there he has to stay out of foul trouble. He finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds.

4th quarter push

The Clippers had finished the first game with a 35-15 run in the fourth. Today they had a 12 point lead in the fourth with the score at 83-71 before letting the Grizzlies back in.

Mike Conley shines

Conley was the high scoring man for the Grizzlies with 28 points on 9-18 shooting. That was his career playoff high. He had 10 points in the final quarter but his team failed to get the win.

6th man of the year?

JR Smith just got the award for sixth man of the year, and you can bet that fueled the strong play of Jamal Crawford as he finished with 15 off a flurry of crossovers.

Win streak

The LA Clippers have now won 9 games in a row, they had finished the regular season with 7 straight wins.

The Clippers have a chance at extending their win streak as they play the Grizzlies on 26th April at 7 AM IST.