All Star point guard Chris Paul led the visiting Los Angeles Clippers with 29 points 7 rebounds and 8 assists in rout to a 107-102 overtime win against the Orlando Magic Monday night.
Paul reminded us all why he is considered an elite point guard in the NBA with his great leadership and clutch plays down the stretch of this game.
“He is huge for us, but we have to make sure we don’t put it all on his shoulders down the stretch,” said Blake Griffin post game.
Griffin finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
“It’s early in the season but we can definitely learn from that win and gain confidence,” Griffin added.
The win wasn’t all roses for the Clippers, it appears they lost veteran guard Chauncey Billups for the season with a torn achilles.
“He is everything to us, I trust him with everything on and off the court,” said Chris Paul who was clearly upset with the loss of Billups.
Orlando came out hot scoring 30 points in the first quarter and took a 47-42 lead into the half.
The third quarter would be all Los Angeles, out scoring the Magic 23-15.
With the shot clock winding down Paul launched up a fadeaway 3 that found the bottom of the net giving the Clippers an 85-77 lead with 5:20 left in the 4th.
J.J Redick would answer with his own 3 just seconds later bringing the Magic within 5.
With just a minute remaining down 91-93 Jason Richardson hit a driving layup with a foul call. Richardson connected on the free throw attempt giving the Magic a 94-93 lead.
On the next Magic possession a bad pass ended up in Griffin’s hands forcing a Jameer Nelson foul sending Blake to the line, however he would only connect on one of two free throws tying the game at 94.
Jameer got a clean look to win the game but it clanked off the front of the rim sending the game into overtime.
The Clippers outscored the Magic 13-8 in the extra period and down 105-102 Jason Richardson got a clean look to tie the game but wasn’t able to connect, Paul would ice the game on free throws.
“It’s part of basketball. I’m not going to be down on myself — it’s a part of basketball,” Richardson said of his final shot attempt. “Like I said, sometimes it goes in, sometimes it don’t. I’ll take the blame. … I like the pressure. But I tell you what, I don’t miss too many of those.”
Dwight Howard led the Magic with 33 points and 14 rebounds followed by Jason Richardson’s 20 and Nelson’s 15 points and 12 assists.
Orlando will get a night off before hosting LeBron James and the Miami Heat Wednesday night. Tip off set for 7pm.
