Box | Gameflow | Advanced Stats
The Spurs are now 2-0 after a dominating blowout of the Los Angeles Clippers. Tony Parker led the Spurs on a big third quarter run and the Spurs never looked back, getting huge performances by Manu Ginobili and DeJuan Blair.
Be sure to read Paul Garcia’s full recap below for more on the game.
In retrospect
Jeff Garcia talked to Peter Kim of The No Look Pass before last night’s game. Here’s what Peter had to say about what it would take for the Clippers to snap the Spurs’ historic success over the Clippers.
Over the years, the Clippers have had an extremely difficult time defending quick guards on the opposing teams. Tony Parker is no exception. He’s always able to get into the paint and seemingly score with ease. In the first two matchups between the Clippers and Spurs last season, Parker went 8 of 16 from the floor and had 9 assists. In the Clippers’ win against the Spurs, he went 1 for 6. So the Clippers should lock down on Parker defensively and do what they can to use their youth against an aging team playing a back to back.
Parker proved to be an integral part of the offense once again, especially in the third quarter when the Spurs pulled away. Parker finished the game with 14 points and nine assists. 10 of Parker’s points came midway through the third quarter.
Quoteable
“Playing against Blake is fun. I always have fun. He challenges me and I challenge him. It was a real big game.”
-De Juan Blair on guarding Blake Griffin.
By the Numbers
6 – Players that scored in double figures for the Spurs
10.5 – James Anderson’s scoring average through 2 games.
54% – Richard Jefferson’s shooting percentage from beyond the arch.
48 – Points in the paint (Clippers 26).
18 – Average third quarter lead through 2 games.
Fantasy Focus
Richard Jefferson is averaging 16.5 points per game and he’s been red hot from beyond the arch. If you need to boost your three-point numbers and add about three or four rebounds per game, keeping him on your watch list might be a good idea.
Rookie Watch
Kawhi Leonard played 20 minutes against the Clippers last night. He spent some time on Caron Butler and even helped defend inside. Once again, he helped most in rebounding. Against a bigger team, Leonard grabbed eight boards, good enough to join Tim Duncan as leading rebounders for the Spurs. His eight rebounds were also a big factor in the Spurs’ 43-40 rebounding advantage.
Cory Joseph played the last three plus minutes of the game and pulled down two rebounds.
Tweeting the game
Spurs destroyed Clippers. The “old” guys can still ball #sanantonio – Zach_Carr_14
In Black and White
• Clippers have no defense for Spurs in loss (Los Angeles Times).
• Spurs have their way with new-look Clippers (San Antonio Express-News).
