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Wed Nov 27, 2019 2:46 am
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LOS ANGELES -- The Clippers finished nine games ahead of second-place Golden State last season to win the franchises first division championship. Air Max 97 Homme Solde . That margin would have been larger had the Warriors not beaten them three times. The teams renewed their intense rivalry Thursday night as Chris Paul scored 42 points and had three of his 15 assists on consecutive alley-oop dunks by Blake Griffin during a 30-second span of the third quarter, helping lead Los Angeles to a 126-115 victory in the Clippers home opener. "Those three plays started with defence, and thats what got us going," Griffin said. "Thats a positive thing, and we have to learn from that. We have to know that we can extend a lead and put the game where we need it to be with our defence." The Clippers, coming off a club-record 56-win season, began their 30th season in Los Angeles on Tuesday with a 116-103 loss to the Lakers, that nights home team in the shared arena. This is the first season in which the Lakers championship banners and retired numbers will be covered up during Clippers home games by banners depicting some of their players in action -- an innovation by new head coach Doc Rivers. Griffin had 23 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with 3:53 remaining for the Clippers. Reserve Jamal Crawford added 17 points and DeAndre Jordan had 17 rebounds and nine points. Golden States Stephen Curry, who set an NBA single-season record with 272 3-pointers last season made nine 3s against the Clippers and finished with 39 points and nine assists. David Lee scored 22 points before fouling out with 4:10 to play, and centre Andrew Bogut had 17 points. Warriors guard Klay Thompson, who had a career-high 38 points on 15-for-19 shooting in a 125-94 rout of the Lakers on Wednesday night, did not attempt a field goal against the Clippers until he was awarded a basket on a goaltending call against Jordan with 5:04 left in the half. Thompson finished with 10 points. "Were not running our offence through Klay. Thats not who we are," coach Mark Jackson said. "We pick and choose, find the hot hand, we run our offence and we execute. Last night he had it going and we made a steady diet of Klay. Tonight we were trying to find a rhythm and then Steph got it going." Trailing by as many as 19, the Warriors sliced the deficit to 110-102 on a four-point play by Curry, who was fouled by Jared Dudley on his fourth 3-pointer of the fourth quarter with 6:05 remaining. "Its crazy. I mean, you give him one or two inches and he can still get his shot off," Griffin said. "I thought we did a decent job on him, but he was just in one of those zones where it seemed like he was hitting everything he put up." The Warriors, however, never got closer as the Clippers responded with a 10-5 run capped by newcomer J.J. Redicks 3-pointer with 3:12 left. "When youre on the road playing against a team like that, one that thrives off turnovers and easy baskets, you cant give them a game like that," Curry said. "Its disappointing for me to let my shooting performance be overshadowed by my 11 turnovers. But its not going to keep me down." Lee committed his fifth foul with 6:38 left in the third quarter and went to the bench with the Warriors trailing 77-67. Paul and Griffin then worked the sellout crowd of 19,060 into a frenzy with their sudden reprise of "Lob City," helping the Clippers pull away to an 88-70 lead with 4:31 left in the quarter. Los Angeles led 68-55 at halftime with four players reaching double digits, including Paul with 18 points. The Clippers took their biggest lead, 65-47, on a 21-footer by Redick that capped an 11-2 spurt with 1:43 left in the second quarter. He finished with 17 points. "We had no business being in this game, but we fought, we battled and we hung in there. We just couldnt get over the hump," Jackson said. "We just lost to a good basketball team. You cant turn the ball over against them because theyll make you pay the price." After getting in early foul trouble, Bogut picked up his third with 2:50 left in the half when he hacked Jordan on the arm as the Clippers centre backed into him while dribbling the ball in the paint. The two players got into a shoving match before they each received technical fouls. The Clippers were leading 58-45 at the time. "Its just basketball," Jordan said. "He fouled me and I thought he followed through a little bit, so I want to protect myself at all times. Its didnt escalate anymore, and thats it." The Clippers did not raise a banner signifying the first division championship in franchise history, which dates back to the 1970-71 season when they were the Buffalo Braves. Nor was it mentioned during the pregame introductions. "I didnt have a lot of say in that this summer," Griffin said with a smirk. "We did win the division, but whether theres a banner up there or not, we have such bigger goals that that. Just getting to the playoffs is not enough. Our goal is to win four series in the playoffs." NOTES: The Clippers are 15-15 in home openers since moving from San Diego to Los Angeles for the 1984-85 season. ... The Clippers have beaten the Warriors at least once in each of the last 27 seasons, their longest such streak against any club. ... Jordan recorded his 1,000th regular-season field goal in the NBA on an alley-oop dunk set up by Paul in the first quarter. Jordans league-best 64.3 shooting percentage last season was a franchise record, topping James Donaldsons old mark in 1984-85, the Clippers first season in L.A. ... The Clippers franchise is 5-11 on Halloween and 2-8 since the club moved to Los Angeles. Vente En Gros Nike Air Max . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Nike Air Max Destockage . Better still, its in the same team and there are 13 races left for it to develop. http://www.maxnikepascher.fr/grossiste-air-max-270/max-270-femme.html . Inter Milan ended its five-match winless streak in all competitions by beating 10-man Bologna 3-1 on new manager Claudio Ranieris debut, while injury-plagued AC Milan edged Cesena 1-0 with an early goal from Clarence Seedorf.Severn Stars director of netball Anita Navin says they could face a tough task in convincing established players to join the franchise, but says that will give younger players a chance to impress. Stars were one of three new franchises granted a licence for the 2017 Vitality Superleague and having got a home venue in place, a head coach to oversee matters on the court, the challenge is to now build a squad to compete.It is a difficult one for a franchise setting out on a journey at the top level of the game in this country, but it is one that will present opportunities. We are having conversations with players who are saying I am in an established top four franchise but I dont know if Ill be in the first seven, can you give me more court time? Navin said.That is a difficult question, but I explain our coach and franchise vision and that will be seen over the season and until they have seen us play then they are a little bit hesitant to move.There may be some disappointed players who stay with their franchise but see individuals who have not reached their level out on our court. Moonia Gerrard is the head coach of Severn Stars Plenty of overseas stars have added much to the competition and Navin admits the challenge will be getting the blend right between talent from abroad, established and emerging England players and talented local youngsters.I really want to make sure we dont just bring players to the area. We want to grow the young talent and there is a pretty good base of 17/18 year-old players in the area, Navin told Sky Sports.So we have committed to saying we will use imports if we need them but initially we want to know what players are coming to us from England and who can play for their country - whether they are U19 or U21.Then we can see where the gaps are and see if we need imported players. We are determined to make a good squad environment with a blend of experience and youth. I really want to make sure we dont just bring players to the area. We want to grow the young talent and there is a pretty good base of 17/18 year-old players in the area. Anita Navin New head coach Moonia Gerrard has a track record of working with young players and having played at the top level herself with 68 Test Appearances for the Australian Diamonds she shares the same beliefs.We are not oveer ambitious although being Australian Moonia is pretty ambitious already - she has a winning mentality and finishing top is where she wants to be, Navin said. Air Max 90 Essential Solde. But we are realistic and she shares the same vision as us that it is about blending and growing the youth but not throwing them onto court if they are not ready. We have a real focus to grow and not just a one season win, but we can build for the future over the coming years.The established franchises have got their brands, theyve got the players that are looking to move into a top four franchise so it is a bit harder for us but that is an opportunity as we can invest in some players who may not be getting onto court at other franchises.We can look to get them opportunities with more established players. Gerrard has a wealth of coaching experience in Australia The new season gets underway in January so there is still plenty of work to put in place as plans come together and Navin and Gerrard are working hard to get the squad in place.We are conscious that we want a core framework of players by mid-August, Navin added.So Moonia is looking to come over a bit earlier now, she wants to see players, she wants to talk to individuals. I dont want to make any decisions for her, I want to be her squad and her selection.We are looking at players now and are trying to get a framework of three or four experienced players, whether they are still playing for England or have retired. But that is an opportunity for us to get a backbone and then add in some of the youth.As much as players are asking me about our player package, I am passing it through to Moonia for her to look at what she wants and where she sees the experienced players fitting.We think there may also be a bit of a window in September when some of the players have been to the top franchises but find that there have been imports and it might look doubtful that they will get on court.Check out daily Netball news ahead of the 2017 Vitality Superleague season on skysports.com/netball, our app for mobile devices and iPad and our Twitter account @skysportsnetball.By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices. Also See: Wasps add coach Mansfield Ryan leaves Thunder Live on Sky Sportswomen ' ' ' |
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