The Clippers rout Trail Blazers 123-111 in season opener
Los Angeles Clippers #13 Paul George (F) is being defended by several Portland Trai Blazers’ players. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSporttsv1.
Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Clippers (1-0) have championship aspirations for this season, which were fully on display in their dominant defensive performance against the Portland Trailblazers (0-1) during their 123-111 win at Crypto.com Arena.
Paul George led the way for the Clippers with 27 points, six assists, and three steals. Kawhi Leonard was not far behind putting up 23 points, and six assists of his own.
The Blazers’ backcourt struggled against the Clippers’ defense, with the heralded rookie Scoot Henderson being held scoreless in the first half and Anfernee Simons putting up 18 points on 6-14 shooting. Simmons and Henderson were expected to fill the scoring void created by the departure of All-NBA Damian Lillard this offseason.
Portland Trail Blazers #1 Anfernee Simons (PG) going strong to the basket. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
“They’re our two best defenders and just having them set the tone every single night is going to be good for us,” said Clipper coach Tyron Lue. “I thought PG really did a good job with Simons to the point of attack defense, just getting into them, pressuring them.”
The Clippers stormed out the gate from the opening tip with dunks for their first three baskets and led throughout the entirety of the game. Ivica Zubac caught a Russell Westbrook pass deep in the paint for a slam midway through the first quarter to give the Clippers a 17-6 lead.
Los Angeles Clippers #40 Ivica Zubac (C) going up for a two-handed monster dunk. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
It was the Clippers' seventh dunk in their first eight baskets. Zubac was huge for the Clippers on both sides of the ball finishing with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. Westbrook also started the season strong dishing out an NBA-leading 13 assists on the night.
After joining the Clippers in the middle of a chaotic season for the dynamic guard, Westbrook now gets a fresh start as he enters his 16th NBA season. Coming off the heels of a full training camp and preseason with his Clippers teammates, he definitely sees the difference.
“Oh man, it means everything,” said Westbrook. “I know my role now, I know what I can do.”
This is something clearly visible to his teammates, including George, who lobbied for the Clippers to sign his former Oklahoma City teammate.
“He’s getting back to his form, back to the high intensity and high character,” said George. “You see the high production he brings.”
Los Angeles Clippers #0 Russell Westbrook (PG) monster dunk had the Clippers fans standing on their feet in the first quarter. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
The game was never in doubt for Los Angeles, which had a 26-point lead at the end of the third quarter. The Clippers rested their starters for the majority of the fourth quarter, which allowed the Blazers to chip into the lead and made the final score, 123-111, look more competitive than the game really was.
The Clippers' defensive intensity was not a surprise for a squad, that has two of the most versatile perimeter defenders in the league. For a team whose top three players are in their early to mid-thirties and were facing off with one of the fastest players in the league, No. 3 draft pick Henderson, it was a surprise seeing the up-tempo style in transition.
The Clippers next face off against the Utah Jazz (0-1) on Friday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.