NBA News Wire
Clippers 113, Warriors 103
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
LOS ANGELES — Center DeAndre Jordan scored 25 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked four shots, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a 113-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of a Western Conference quarterfinal series.
With the victory that came hours after NBA commissioner Adam Silver handed a lifetime ban to Clippers owner Donald Sterling due to racist comments, Los Angeles took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Clippers can advance with a win in Game 6 on Thursday at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.
The fans provided a raucous atmosphere from start to finish, and the Clippers answered by dictating for much of the contest.
Los Angeles point guard Chris Paul had 20 points, including 13 in the second half, plus seven assists, six rebounds and five steals.
Clippers forward Blake Griffin, who was plagued by foul trouble, had an uneven outing, finishing with 18 points and seven rebounds. Guard Jamal Crawford came off the bench to score 19 points, while reserve guard Darren Collison added 15 points.
Guard Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 21 points, while forwards David Lee and Andre Iguodala scored 18 apiece. Guard Stephen Curry scored 17 points, but he committed eight turnovers. Forward Draymond Green finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds, and Lee pulled down 10 boards.
Los Angeles took a 77-72 lead into the fourth quarter. The Clippers increased the margin to 95-85 after Paul canned three free throws with 5:46 remaining. After a 3-pointer by Iguodala, Warriors coach Mark Jackson ordered his players to intentionally foul Jordan, but the Clippers big man converted three of four, forcing Jackson to abandon the strategy.
Two free throws by Collison gave the Clippers a 103-92 lead with 2:56 remaining. Golden State closed the gap to six three times in the final minute, but Los Angeles sealed the win at the foul line.
Los Angeles forward Hedo Turkoglu suffered a lower back contusion after a fall in the third quarter. He did not return.
NOTES: If necessary, Game 7 would be played Saturday at Staples Center.
… A moment of silence was held before the game for former NBA coach and broadcaster Dr. Jack Ramsay, who died from cancer Monday at the age of 89. … Golden State coach Mark Jackson went with the same smaller lineup that helped the Warriors prevail in Game 4, with F David Lee at center along with F Andre Iguodala, F Draymond Green, G Klay Thompson and G Stephen Curry. … The Clippers improved to 2-8 in Game 5s. However, they are 2-1 when playing Game 5 at home. … Los Angeles went 25-0 when leading at halftime at home during the regular season, and the Clippers are 2-0 in the postseason when holding a halftime edge at Staples Center.
