LOS ANGELES – Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford started alongside each other for the first time this season and the dynamic duo combined for 71 total points as the Los Angeles Clippers overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the Detroit Pistons 101-96 at Staples Center on Saturday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jamal Crawford scored a season-high 37 points in his first game in the starting lineup as he stopped the Clippers two-game skid.
Blake Griffin scored 34 points with eight rebounds and nine assists as Griffin and Crawford combined for 71 of the Clippers 101 total points.
Ersan Ilyasova scored 20 points and Andre Drummond added 18 points and 19 rebounds for the Detroit Pistons who led by as many as 17 points in the first half before struggling in the third and fourth quarters.
Reggie Jackson scored 20 points for Detroit who has now los three straight and nine in a row against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
TURNING POINT
Andre the Giant Missed Free Throw. Doc Rivers went to "Hack-A-Drummond" with five minutes remaining in the third quarter and the Clippers trailing by 10 points. Drummond, is a 39 percent free throw shooter this season and went 1-for-6 from the line in that span including a horrific air-ball that missed the rim by two feet.
The move worked and the Clippers got back in the game, closing the quarter on a 11-2 run, taking a one-point lead into the fourth.
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MVP OF THE GAME
Jamal Crawford. The Clippers sixth man was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time this season and had his best game in years scoring 37 points with six rebounds and 8 assists. Wow.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Detroit Pistons went over 12 minutes in the third and fourth quarters without scoring a basket.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
Clippers played the French national anthem and held a moment of silence before their game pic.twitter.com/KMXZTpAaUL — Rowan Kavner (@RowanKavner) November 14, 2015
Classy. #PrayForParis
PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
High-five for Clippers basketball. It's go time at STAPLES Center! ��#TogetherWeWill pic.twitter.com/eR8GZFJ2BQ — LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 14, 2015
Slap Hands!
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"That's what Jamal does. It wasn't just hitting shots it was getting everybody else involved. His defense was great. It's fun to play with a guy like that." Clippers forward Blake Griffin on teammate Jamal Crawford's performance.
NOTES
The Clippers were without starting point guard Chris Paul who has missed three of the team's last four games with a strained groin. Shooting guard J.J. Redick missed his second straight game with back spasms as well.
RECORD
Detroit Pistons (5-4) (3-3 on the road) 3rd in the Central Division
Los Angeles Clippers (6-4) (5-1 at home) 2nd in the Pacific Division)
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Detroit Pistons will get to spend a night in beautiful Los Angeles as they will return to Staples Center in less than 24 hours to face the Los Angeles Lakers at 9:30 PM EST on Sunday.
The Clippers will have a rare four consecutive days off before hosting the undefeated Golden State Warriors next Thursday at 10:30PM on TNT.
