The Clippers dominate Portland to get their first win of the season
Los Angeles Clippers #5 Luke Kennard (SG) shooting a three-pointer against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staple Center. Photo by Jerry Kelly/T.G.Sportstv1.
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Clippers jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter and never looked back with the help of Luke Kennard, who scored 23 points in a dominating 116-86 win over Portland on Monday at Staples Center.
"Guys were looking for me, especially in transition," Kennard said. "That's where I try to sneak around the defense."
Reggie Jackson scored 18 points, and Paul George finished with 16 points and a career-high eight steals. The Clippers (1-2) picked up their first win of the season and avoided their first 0-3 start since 2010-11.
Portland was led by CJ McCollum, who scored 20 points. Damian Lillard was held to 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting. The Clippers' defense forced 30 turnovers and held Portland to 38 percent shooting from the floor.
"We just try to blitz him, keep the ball out of his hands as much as possible," Clippers head coach Ty Lue said on limiting Lillard. "We know he's a dangerous scorer. He can get going at any time. I thought our team defense did a good job."
Portland Trail Blazer CJ McCollum (PG) three-point shot from the right side of the court at the Staple Center. Photo by Jerry Kelly/T.G.Sportstv1.
Portland's only lead of the game came in the first quarter when CJ McCollum made a three-pointer to give the Trailblazers a 14-13 lead. The Clippers went on a 14-0 run to take a 29-15 lead with 37 seconds left in the first quarter. Los Angeles ended the quarter with Kennard's 15-foot jumper and a 31-17 lead.
The Clippers continued to apply pressure in the second quarter and led by as many as 18 points before taking a 56-42 lead into halftime. Kennard had 17 in the first half and hit four three-pointers.
Los Angeles Clippers #1 Reggie Jackson (PG) going strong to the basket for a layup at the Staple Center. Photo by Jerry Kelly/T.G.Sportstv1.
The third quarter was much of the same as the Clippers went on a 27-10 run and extended their lead to 30 points going into the fourth quarter.
The Clippers' 37 assists tonight were the most assists in a game since they had 41 assists on Jan. 22, 2015, against Brooklyn.
"We had 37 assists but we should have had 50," Lue said. "We had 15 shots that were wide open that we didn't make."
Both teams are back in action on Wednesday as the Clippers will host the Cleveland Cavaliers while Portland hosts the Memphis Grizzlies.