Clippers Get a Win Over Defenseless Warriors

The Clippers don't win very often, so when they do, it's cause for celebration. L.A. got 27 points each from Eric Gordon and Zach Randolph on the way to a 118-105 win over the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center.

L.A. got a much needed infusion of personnel on Monday, as Zach Randolph returned from suspension, and Marcus Camby was able to play through his ear infection. The addition of bigs to the Clipper lineup was a huge advantage, even though the team started four guards against the run and gun Warriors.

You almost have to do a double-take when looking at the box score, when you see that the Clips really did roll four guards out onto the court as part of their starting lineup. Eric Gordon, Mardy Collins, Fred Jones, and Baron Davis took the floor for the opening tip, along with recently reinstated big man Zach Randolph. But against a Warriors team that likes to push the tempo and play zero defense, it appeared that head coach Mike Dunleavy pushed all the right buttons.

The Warriors took an early 14-point lead in the first quarter, but the Clippers finished the half on a ridiculous 49-35 run to take a five point lead at the break. L.A. extended their lead to as many as 18 in the third, before Golden State went on a 10-0 run to keep it close in the fourth. The Warriors cut it to three on a three-pointer from Stephen Jackson with seven minutes to play, but Eric Gordon hit back to back three-pointers to blow it back open and extend the Clippers' lead back to nine with under six minutes remaining.

Baron Davis finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists, and Randolph finished with 27 and 11. Eric Gordon also had 27 points, and grabbed seven rebounds while managing to dish out five assists.

It's not surprising that once the Clippers got Zach Randolph and Marcus Camby back on the floor that they'd be competitive. Especially against a Warriors team who, despite being a few games better than L.A. in the standings, is really just an injury or two away from dropping to the very bottom of the Western Conference.