Clippers’ Griffin: ‘We know that they’re a well-oiled machine’

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Tonight the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers will play Game 1 of their Western Conference Semi Finals series in San Antonio in what could be seen as the Spurs’ experience versus the Clippers’ youth.

The Spurs have basically “been there, done that” when it comes to seeing it all in the playoffs. From playing 7-game series, losing home court advantage, and of course, winning it all. And at the center of all this playoff experience is Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

The Clippers, however, do not have the vast playoff experience the Spurs have. This playoff run the Clips are on, is a first for the team with Chris Paul having the most playoff experience in the starting lineup. Remember, Los Angeles lost much of the on-court experience when Chauncey Billups (who faced the Spurs in the NBA Finals) was lost for the season due to injury.

Although this Clippers team is young, they are hungry and according to Blake Griffin, they are ready.

Griffin knows what it means to play against the Spurs and their chemistry.

“We know that they’re a well-oiled machine. They’ve been playing together so long that they know the ins and out of not only the regular season, but playoff basketball. … It’s going to be a tough series, but we’re ready for it.”

The Spurs won the regular season series 2-1 against the Clippers and in the one loss, it took Paul to play out of his mind just to beat San Antonio. Add the fact the Clippers are a banged up team after a grueling 7-game series with Memphis, and all former Spur and head coach of Los Angeles can do is hope his team is indeed ready.

Playing against a formidable Spurs team will truly test the young Clippers team. Spurs fans just hope experience beats out youth.