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Griffin, Paul Return With Authority After Rest Day As Clippers Beat Suns

Rowan Kavner 

LOS ANGELES - A night off for Chris Paul and Blake Griffin on Tuesday meant a rejuvenated duo Wednesday, as the two players led the Clippers to their second win of the preseason against the Suns.

Griffin and Paul combined for 69 points, including 24 of the team’s 29 fourth-quarter points, to give the Clippers a 108-105 win in the second game of a back-to-back.

Center DeAndre Jordan was given a night to rest, leaving Hawes as the starting center.  

It was only natural, then, that it was Paul’s layup and two free throws with five seconds remaining to ice the win. Paul finished with 34 points and nine assists, while Griffin had 35 points and seven rebounds.

The Suns made a late run to get a 103-102 lead late, but buckets from Spencer Hawes and Chris Paul gave the Clippers a lead they wouldn’t give back.

Center DeAndre Jordan and guard Jamal Crawford were both given a night to rest, leaving Hawes as the starting center. Griffin said the Clippers can’t worry about the lack of continuity with lineups in the preseason, because every team deals with it.

On Wednesday, the lineup worked out for the Clippers. Griffin said there can’t be any conclusions made about a team during the preseason, but this time does give him the chance to learn about his new teammates.

“I’ve learned about individual guys,” Griffin said. “I’m really seeing what they do and what their tendencies are and what they’re going to really help us at. That’s promising, but I think your identity as a team, it’s tough to create that identity and learn a lot about your team within three weeks, four weeks, whatever it’s been.”

Paul said the lack of continuity can be tough, but professionals can handle it.

"We’re returning the same starting five as we had last year, but it’s not as easy as that. At some point, we’ll start clicking on all cylinders, but it’s a process.”

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