Blake Griffin’s first triple-double leads L.A Clippers to a double O.T win over Washington Wizards
Marshalled by Blake Griffin’s first ever triple-double and Eric Gordon’s 32 points, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Wizards 127-119 in double over-time on Wednesday night at Staples Centre. After leading the Clippers with
a monstrous night of 33 points, 17 boards and 10 dimes, Griffin said, “It means a lot, but the best part about it was getting the win".
A night earlier, Staples Centre hosted its first triple over-time game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. This has happened for the first time in arena's 12 years history.
The Clippers led the first quarter, as they left the Wizards far behind with an early 11-2 run. The Clippers then capitalized the lead and stretched it down the lane to end the first quarter proceedings with 33-21 advantage. Eric
Gordon remained the major contributor for the Clippers; he scored 13 points during the period.
In second section the Wizards tried to strike back. But they missed out on both occasions, first Evans’ three-pointer slashed the shortfall to just one making it 37-36 in 7:54. Then Jordan Crawford dunked one for the Wizards to
make it 45-44 in 4:33 seconds. The Clippers hung tight to their lead and stretched it on both occasions to led the Wizards in the second section as well with a 58-49 advantage.
With nine points down the Wizards came out fired up after the first half and made the spurt to grab the lead. With a 15-5 run the Wizards took the lead 63-64 for the first time in the game. Unfortunately the Wizards failed to hold
on to it, but they stayed close to the Clippers. In the last 34 seconds, when the game was tied at 75, Crawford made a floater, which put the Wizards not just ahead of the Clippers but also, secured the quarter for them 75-77.
The fourth part was a nail bitter, as both teams fought hard to nail one another. The lead changed on four occasions and the scores also tied four times during the regulation. The Clippers stayed in lead before 14 seconds, but
the Wizards didn’t allow them to extend the lead again. This made possible for Washington’s John Wall to drive through the hoop and dunked one which tied the scores at 102-102 and pushed the game into overtime.
The tying shot gave the Wizards boost they required and that reflected in their game. In the overtime the Wizards grabbed the lead from the beginning and guided most of the way. The Clippers were trailing by five points 107-112
with just 1:39 seconds left, when Mo Williams launched a three to make it 110-112, but Gordon’s whooshing buzzer beater proved to be the turning point of the game as it tied the scores at 113 each at the close of the extra time. This led the teams to the second
overtime.
Gordon’s three-pointer seemed to spirit the Clippers to victory, as they came hard on the Wizards. The Clippers took the charge from the Wizards 119-117 after a strong battle which last no more than two minutes. This lead gave
way to an 8-2 run which completely outscored the Wizards. The Clippers end up winning the game by eight points.
After this loss the Wizards are left with seven chances to avoid tying the Sacramento Kings worst road record of 1-40 which they set back in 1990-91 season.
Wall counted 32 points and 10 assists, and Crawford made 25 points for the Wizards. Their teammate JaVale McGee had 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
Crawford expressed his views after the loss, he said,
"This one hurts. The fact that we had the game, it was ours to win and we gave it away."
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