The Morning After: Spurs vs. Clippers

Written by Michael A. De Leon on .

DeJuan BlairBox | Gameflow | Advanced Stats

The Spurs are now 2-0 after a dominating blowout of the Los Angeles Clippers. Tony Parker led the Spurs on a big third quarter run and the Spurs never looked back, getting huge performances by Manu Ginobili and DeJuan Blair.

Be sure to read Paul Garcia's full recap below for more on the game. 

In retrospect

Jeff Garcia talked to Peter Kim of The No Look Pass before last night's game. Here's what Peter had to say about what it would take for the Clippers to snap the Spurs' historic success over the Clippers.

Over the years, the Clippers have had an extremely difficult time defending quick guards on the opposing teams. Tony Parker is no exception. He's always able to get into the paint and seemingly score with ease. In the first two matchups between the Clippers and Spurs last season, Parker went 8 of 16 from the floor and had 9 assists. In the Clippers' win against the Spurs, he went 1 for 6. So the Clippers should lock down on Parker defensively and do what they can to use their youth against an aging team playing a back to back.

Parker proved to be an integral part of the offense once again, especially in the third quarter when the Spurs pulled away. Parker finished the game with 14 points and nine assists. 10 of Parker's points came midway through the third quarter.

Quoteable

"Playing against Blake is fun. I always have fun. He challenges me and I challenge him. It was a real big game."
-De Juan Blair on guarding Blake Griffin.

By the Numbers

6 - Players that scored in double figures for the Spurs
10.5 - James Anderson's scoring average through 2 games.
54% - Richard Jefferson's shooting percentage from beyond the arch.
48 - Points in the paint (Clippers 26).
18 - Average third quarter lead through 2 games.

Fantasy Focus

Richard Jefferson is averaging 16.5 points per game and he's been red hot from beyond the arch. If you need to boost your three-point numbers and add about three or four rebounds per game, keeping him on your watch list might be a good idea.

Rookie Watch

Kawhi Leonard played 20 minutes against the Clippers last night. He spent some time on Caron Butler and even helped defend inside. Once again, he helped most in rebounding. Against a bigger team, Leonard grabbed eight boards, good enough to join Tim Duncan as leading rebounders for the Spurs. His eight rebounds were also a big factor in the Spurs' 43-40 rebounding advantage.

Cory Joseph played the last three plus minutes of the game and pulled down two rebounds.

Tweeting the game

Spurs destroyed Clippers. The "old" guys can still ball #sanantonio - Zach_Carr_14

In Black and White

• Clippers have no defense for Spurs in loss (Los Angeles Times). 
• Spurs have their way with new-look Clippers (San Antonio Express-News). 

5 comments
guerrjo1
guerrjo1

San Antonio Spurs are for real and don't you forget it, all you false, think you're so great basketball bums!

This comment has been deleted

Spursforever69
Spursforever69

@LFJeremy RJ ran out of gas last year, you could see his tired legs on both ends, with leonard and Anderson playing at 3 he should be able to produce the same numbers in the post season. I am so glad he's proving me right, that RJ was best option at 3 given the circumstances we've had.

This comment has been deleted

Spursforever69
Spursforever69

I am stunned why people think it's shocking how easily the Spurs won.... go read what I said in the preview section "the Spurs will Easily win this game". I didn't say it as an irrational fan, it's that obvious you just can't put together talent and expect to beat a team that has been together for so long and won west last season ....

johanf79
johanf79

Was talking to a friend before the game. I went out on a limb and said that the spurs would win by ten, I didn't really belive it myself. This blowout I thought would be a tough test for the spurs.Thanks guys! I'm feeling just as good as last christmas :)

rtesoro440
rtesoro440

It's unbrlievable. The spurs demolished the clippers so easily. Blair and Splitter studied their assignments well. Jefferson justified why he was hired. But the spurs must not rest on their laurels. There is much to be done. With back to back to back schedules, they should fill in the lineup with 2 pf/c.

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