| |
|
NBA Playoffs - Paul wallops Thunder, Clips take 1-0- lead
By Homer D. Sayson PhilBoxing.com Wed, 07 May 2014
CHICAGO -- Chris Paul strutted the stuff All-Stars are made of, scoring 32 points and dishing 10 dimes as the Los Angeles Clippers annihilated the Thunder, 122-105, Monday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.
Paul drilled 12 of 14 field goals, including 8-for-9 form 3-point range, and the Clippers surged ahead with a 1-0 lead in this best-of-7 Western Conference semifinals. Game 2 stays in OKC Wednesday night (Thursday AM in Manila).
"C.P. really set the tone for us to start the game. His being aggressive at the start really helped us. Tonight, he just looked great and we just had one of those nights when everything was going in," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers told NBA.com.
After trailing briefly, 16-10, the Clippers put the game away by scoring 69 points at the half. The lead would balloon to as many as 29 and the Thunder never got closer than 13 the rest of the way.
Blake Griffin finished with 23 for Los Angeles, Jamal Crawford pitched in 17 off the bench, while Matt Barnes and J.J. Redick combined for 22. The Clippers made 45 of 82 field goals (54.9 percent) and 15 of 29 triples (51.7 percent).
"We have to play better defense. They were making shots, getting to the line, and making 3s. Chris had an unbelievable night. We have to do a better job guarding the 3-point line," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said.
Russell Westbrook paced OKC with 29 points. He also had four rebounds and four assists. Kevin Durant made only 9-of-19 shots for 25 markers while Serge Ibaka turned in 12 points and six rebounds but no other Thunder player finished in double figures in points.
While the Clips shot alarmingly high from the field, OKC converted only 39 of 85 (45.9 percent) and 9 of 28 from 3-point range (32.1 percent). (Homer D. Sayson)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 7 APRIL 2026: Santiago Retains WBA/WBO Titles in Tokyo; Taduran KOs Perez in 5; Price Decisions Aquino; Wins by Wilder, Bentley and Tim Tszyu By Eric Armit, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Carlo Biado is the last Filipino standing in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-Ball World Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Unification next for Taduran? By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026BEN WHITTAKER REPLACES INJURED CALLUM SMITH AS THE NEW MAIN EVENT FOR LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18 – LIVE ON DAZN , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Filipino chess phenom triumphs at Krefelder Osteropen 2026 chess tournament in Germany By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026ProBoxTV Travels to Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, This Friday, April 10, as Hebert Conceicao Sousa Battles Power-Punching South American Johan Gonzalez in Middleweight Main Event , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Yokasta Valle vs Lourdes Juarez for WBC Female world championship? By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026GM Joey Antonio ties for 10th in Canberra chess meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Canelo Expected to Return on September 15 in Riyadh By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Ring Masters Championships 2026 Finals April 10 at Madison Square Garden , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Jeffrey de Luna keep the Philippines alive in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-ball World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, USA By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026NOTHING BUT SPORTZ PRESENTS GAMBOA & RIGONDEAUX — MAY 2 IN MIAMI ONE NIGHT. SAME CARD. HAVANA HEAT , Mon, 06 Apr 2026Wilkens Mathieu Against Olympic Medallist Esquiva Falcao at the Théâtre Capitole of Quebec City on June 11! , Mon, 06 Apr 2026National Master Jasper Faeldonia rules Romblon chessfest By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 06 Apr 2026Twin wins for Pinoy boxers By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026NM Buto spearheads Goldland Chess Club By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026Andreas Cortes vs Eridson Garcia Tops Paramount Plus Card By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026Chris "Sandman" Thomas Back in the Win Column , Sun, 05 Apr 2026Taduran Stops Pérez in 7, and “Still” IBF 105 Champion By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026Pedro Taduran Scores Sensational Stoppage Over Gustavo PÉRez ÁLvarez in IBF Minimumweight World Championship Main Event , Sat, 04 Apr 2026BROWN STOPS DUCAR TO LAND FIRST PRO TITLES , Sat, 04 Apr 2026Guy Jutras, a gentleman and pilgrim of world boxing, passes away By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026GM Joey Antonio keeps Philippine flag alive, posts hard-earned win in Canberra chess meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026TWO WORLD TITLE FIGHTS CONFIRMED FOR ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ UNDERCARD , Sat, 04 Apr 2026MANSOUR AND BALLO MAKE WAVES WITH UNPRECEDENTED OPEN WORKOUT ABOARD CITY CRUISES ADMIRAL HORNBLOWER AHEAD OF SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS , Sat, 04 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|