Blake Griffin says there is “no doubt” he is going to play against the San Antonio Spurs: NBA Update
After the Game 7 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Clippers flew straight to Texas to gear up for their Western Conference Semi-Final series against the San Antonio Spurs.
The process of fending off the mucky Memphis Grizzlies and advancing to the second round of the post season for only the third time in franchise history has left the Clips bruised and battered. But, such has been the desire of
their players to perform in the playoffs that Blake Griffin, despite calling himself 75 - 80 percent fit after a shootaround on Monday, has come out to say that he will be playing in Game 1 of the second round.
"Hopefully more than that, but realistically, probably about that," he said. "But my knee hasn't gotten worse. That's the encouraging thing. It just needs time, and we haven't had much of it."
Time is one thing the Clips do not have at their disposal, when they face off against the mighty Spurs in second round. It will be their 6th game within a time span of 11 days and the testing times are just getting started.
Vinny Del Negro, the Clippers coach has however given no clear word on Griffin’s availability in the Game-1. He spoke on the matter after a team practice on Monday, contemplating that he will have to speak to the team physicians
and trainers first before making a decision regarding Blake.
"I don't know yet," Del Negro said "I'll make that decision tomorrow after shootaround, after I talk to the trainer."
Other players like Chris Paul who suffered a hip injury and Caron Butler, who has a fractured left hand, have also made themselves available for the series. Paul spoke on Monday regarding his injury and told the media that his
hip is feeling ok and is ready to go.
Griffin, who was only able to play around 2 minutes in the fourth quarter of the historic victory in Game 7, the franchise’s only such feat, has made it very clear that there can be “no doubt” about him playing in the second round.
He was adamant that fatigue and tiredness cannot be used as excuses before the start of such a high magnitude series.
"Going through a seven-game series is definitely exhausting," Griffin said. "We may have some guys that are a little beat-up. That's how it is. But a lot of teams have that, and we can't use that as an excuse."
On the other hand, Spurs who have had a good rest for nearly a week cannot wait to return to action. Tony Parker, the star Spurs point guard, could not resist sending Paul a text message which said “see you soon” after finally
finding out their opponents to be on Sunday.
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