Maligned Los Angeles Clippers Elite In Dominant Win Over Miami Heat
By Sam Mattfolk
@MattSamFolk
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Clippers made a statement with an emphatic 39-15 first quarter on the road against a reeling Miami Heat team. The Clippers just kept knocking down shots to open up a huge lead they mostly maintained heading into halftime 58-40. The Clippers never let up, dunking and shooting their way past a punchless Heat team 110-93. This type of performance should quell doubts that LA is not a championship contender once again.
The Clippers are now two wins into a seven game road trip with an opportunity to get back to the top of the Western Conference. More importantly, the offense is resembling the terrifying league-best unit from a season ago. Blake Griffin was more active and assertive early, and DeAndre Jordan was on the receiving end of a few alley-oops to get the big man more involved. The leader of the offense was Chris Paul, whose vision and passing created shots all over the court, totaling seven first-half assists.
The Heat have struggled after a hot 5-2 start to the season. Dwyane Wade missing the last few games has stretched the backcourt thin, and Miami needs the extra playmaking. Chris Bosh actually had a nice game, eclipsing 20 points for just the second time in his last five games. The main problem, however, has been defense. The Heat simply can’t afford to give up so many easy shots, especially early in games.
Despite an overmatched opponent, Doc Rivers has to be pleased with the ball movement and composure of his team. The Clippers answered every mini-run the Heat could throw at them. While the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors may have been the teams of the opening 10 games of the season, Paul and the Clippers look to be headed to an excellent season after a poor start cast doubt on whether Los Angeles could be elite once again in the loaded Western Conference.
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