LOS ANGELES – DeAndre Jordan put on a dunk party on Saturday night scoring 22 points to lead Los Angeles as the Clippers steamrolled the Philadelphia 76ers 130-99 at Staples Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Clippers entered the game riding a five-game win streak all on the road, the first sweep of a road trip in franchise history. They struggled to pull away from the Sixers in the first quarter, but DeAndre Jordan dominated the second and third quarters as the Clippers built a double-digit lead.
"We have to be connected on a string," Jordan said about the team's play without Blake Griffin. "A lot of teams may go big against us, but we have to make sure teams are playing 1-on-5. We know our defense needs to get us out in transition and get us fastbreak points."
Jordan finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and nine dunks in just three quarters of play to lead Los Angeles. Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers scored 13 and 26 points off the bench respectively, as seven players for the Clippers scored in double-figures.
"If you put the work in, it will come to you," said Rivers about his hot-shooting night. "I'm focused on just going in and having fun and being myself which means being aggressive."
The Clippers led by as many as 31 points in the third quarter and extended that lead to 39 by the end of the game. Jahlil Okafor scored 23 points off the bench to lead the Sixers.
The Clippers extended their winning streak to six games, the current longest streak in the NBA right now.
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TURNING POINT
DeAndre Jordan had nine dunks on Saturday night, but none more important than this "and one" in the second quarter that ignited the crowd and the Clippers.
DeAndre being DeAndre #Clippers https://t.co/gsXWczYP3m — NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) January 3, 2016
MVP OF THE GAME
DeAndre Jordan. Everyone knew the big man would have to carry more of the load with Blake Griffin out, but DJ put on a show with 22 points and 13 rebounds in just three quarters of play.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
DeAndre Jordan recorded his 100th dunk of the season in the contest. Most in the NBA this season.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
Have to watch this game to the end. Clippers may turn into Oregon and choke this one away if I change the channel.... — Johnny Walker (@J_Dub23_1) January 3, 2016
Thankfully, no "greatest comeback in FBS history" for the Philadelphia 76ers tonight.
PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
Happy New Year from 30,000 feet. ��✈️ pic.twitter.com/FVpofHjzts — LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 1, 2016
In case you missed it, the Clippers celebrated the New Year with a team party 30,000 feet in the air.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"We're just a better team without him," joked Clippers guard J.J. Redick on the team being undefeated without Blake Griffin. "Sometimes when you rely on a guy so much that when he goes out one of two things can happen: Guys will either step up, or they struggle. Guys are staying within themselves and starring in their roles."
NOTES
Blake Griffin sat at the end of the bench to watch his team play. Griffin has been out since Christmas Day with a torn left quadriceps muscle. Paul Pierce sat out the game to rest.
The Clippers entered the game on a five-game winning streak, all on the road. It is the first time Los Angeles has won a road trip of five games or more in franchise history.
Clippers sweep a 5-game road trip for the first time in franchise history, have won 4 straight without Blake Griffin pic.twitter.com/mbS8YHQL0L — NBA.com (@NBAcom) January 1, 2016
RECORD
Philadelphia 76ers (3-33, 2-21 on the road) last in Atlantic Division.
Los Angeles Clippers (22-13, 11-6 at home) 2nd in Pacific Division.
WHAT'S NEXT?
A back-to-back in Los Angeles, concluded Philadelphia's six-game road trip and the 76ers return home for the first time in 2016 to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
The Clippers "one night only" home game in 2016 is followed by a trip up north to Portland where they will take on the Trailblazers at 7:00PM PST on Wednesday.
