Rowan Kavner
BOSTON - The Clippers swept the three-game road trip, even though the finale got interesting at the end.
A comfortable 35-point lead late in the third quarter against the Celtics (32-41) went down to 14 in the fourth, but the Clippers (49-25) kept the lead at double digits the rest of the way to cap off the East Coast trip with a 119-106 win, getting at least 15 points from all five starters for their seventh straight victory.
“The ball movement right now is just sensational,” said head coach Doc Rivers. “I thought the guys had amazing focus when they left. You could just tell they were going to take this trip very seriously.”
The Clippers led by 26 points after three quarters in Boston, and it appeared the starters would get to watch the fourth quarter from the bench for the third straight road game. It began that way, at least, but the Celtics’ 18-6 start to the fourth against the Clippers’ reserves brought the starters back in the game, leading 111-97.
“As a second unit, we’ve got to take pride in making sure we can keep the lead or get the lead up,” said Glen Davis, who was playing against his former team. “(The starters) are great, but at the end of the day, they’re going to need us, and we’ve got to be prepared. The second unit is growing, and today was a hard lesson for us.”
Rivers wasn’t thrilled with how the reserves played in the second half, but he was overall happy with the way his Clippers performed.
“The last three games, the way our starters have gotten us out, and the first half the second unit was phenomenal too,” Rivers said. “Our second unit came in and thought they were going to keep scoring, and they didn’t realize the reason they scored in the first half was they kept getting stops.”
When the starters returned, the Celtics went to the hack-a-Jordan strategy, which initially worked for them. But the Clippers made enough stops to keep the lead at double digits the rest of the way.
“Our offense is beautiful to watch, but I think our guys have finally connected the dots that when we’re good defensively, we’re really good offensively,” Rivers said. “That’s something we’ve been trying to get to see all year. I think those dots are connected.”
The Clippers were on fire offensively all night, scoring 105 points by the end of the third quarter. They had 68 points by the end of the first half, and the Clippers’ starters finished the game with 102 points by themselves. Jordan had 15 points and 14 rebounds, while J.J. Redick led the Clippers with 21 points and Chris Paul had 21 points and 10 assists.
Blake Griffin added 21 points and nine rebounds, while Matt Barnes had 18 points and seven rebounds. The Clippers shot 48.8 percent from the floor and hit 13 3-pointers. By halftime, Redick already had 19 points, Jordan had a double-double, Paul had 13 points and seven assists and the Clippers led by 21.
“We’re passing up good shots for great shots,” Paul said. “Obviously with Blake back, it makes us that much more dangerous. He’s one of the best passers on the team and then when he gets to scoring, you just have to pick your poison.”
The Clippers have scored at least 107 points each of their last six games.
“We have a really good rhythm right now, especially that first unit,” Redick said. “We have problems that we’re creating offensively and making it tough on the defense.”
NOTES: The Clippers now return home for a Tuesday matchup against the Warriors… The Clippers have won five of their last six games against the Celtics … The Clippers have won each of their last seven games by at least seven points … Davis said it always feels good to come back to Boston, where he used to play, and he thinks about the memories every time he returns … Lester Hudson played his first game for the Clippers … The Clippers never trailed in the win …