LOS ANGELES – J.J. Redick had his best game since returning from injury last week and the Los Angeles Clippers blew out the New Orleans Hornets 111-90 on Friday night at Staples Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Clippers finally played the brand of basketball they've wanted to play all season in their blowout victory over the Pelicans.
The Clippers attempted 19 three-pointers, making seven of them, three times as many as they did in their loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. They rebounded better and got a better shooting performance from their bench as well.
Los Angeles jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter, and pushed it to 21 points at halftime. The Pelicans made a run to start the second half, but once Anthony Davis went down with a knee injury, the run stopped and the Clippers cruised from there.
Davis led New Orleans with 17 points and six rebounds before being carried to the locker room.
J.J. Redick and Blake Griffin each scored 20 points for the Clippers and Austin Rivers contributed 17 points off the bench.
TURNING POINT
The Pelicans cut the lead to 14 points late in the third quarter, but tragedy struck when Chris Paul collided into the knee of Anthony Davis. Davis could not walk on his own power and had to be carried into the visitor's locker room.
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MVP OF THE GAME
J.J. Redick. The Clippers two-guard had his best performance since returning from a back injury last week. Redick scored 20 points, including 15 in the first quarter to get the Clippers out to a hot start.
"He creates havoc in the first quarter," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said. "Defensively the opposing teams have to change coverage and it creates chaos."
STAT OF THE NIGHT
Clippers' guard Jamal Crawford passed Juwan Howard for 100th on the NBA's all-time leading scorers list.
"That's pretty cool," Crawford said of the milestone. "I haven't had a chance to digest that just yet. But one day, I'll look back at it say 'that's pretty cool.'"
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
#pelicans look deflated after losing @AntDavis23. Currently down by 22 with 10 minutes left in the game. #LACvsNOP #nba #clippers — Moises Ajanel (@_Moisays) November 28, 2015
You'd be deflated too if you just watched your MVP get carried off the court.
PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
this is where the fun is. Clippers lead Pels 96-74 pic.twitter.com/OzrCXUJUY6 — Ralph Lawler (@Ohmeomy) November 28, 2015
Longtime Clippers play-by-play announcer, Ralph Lawler, showing us is view courtside.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"I wasn't sure what to expect when I first met Lance. He's the best rapper on the team though." – Clippers forward Blake Griffin on teammate Lance Stephenson.
NOTES
The Clippers sold out Staples Center for the 200th consecutive game.
RECORD
New Orleans Pelicans (4-12, 1-2 on the road) last in the Southwest Division
Los Angeles Clippers (8-8, 6-4 at home) 2nd in the Pacific Division
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pelicans take the court again tomorrow in Utah on the second night of a back-to-back against the Jazz.
The Clippers return to the court on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center where they will host the Minnesota Timberwolves at 12:30 PM PST.
