Mavericks vs. Clippers, Jan 15

Down 17 points with 4 minutes left wasn’t a big enough lead for the Mavericks to hold off the Clippers.  The Clippers had one left push in them and it was just enough to leave Staples Center with a 2 point victory. I’m sure everybody on the Clippers squad said thank you to J.J Redick who scored a career high 33 points and hit clutch baskets down the stretch.  Redick hit a three with 40 seconds left to cut the lead to a single point.  Dirk couldn’t connect on the other end of the floor and finally Jamal Crawford was isolated with a scrappy defender in Marion who fouled Crawford on a last second shot, Crawford sunk both and the Clippers escaped with a wild victory. The Clippers got a huge boost off the best from an unlikely hero; Matt Barnes.  Barnes finished with 25 points connecting on 5 long balls. But the story of the night was J.J Redick.  Redick scored 23 points in the first half alone giving the clippers a solid lead going into halftime.  Although the Clippers couldn’t hold the lead late and let the Mavericks go up 17, it was just enough to come back late and secure a win on the home floor. I don’t believe there has ever been a clipper post without mentioning Blake Griffin, Griffin played a very efficient game and was very close to getting ejected after picking up an early technical along with Dirk. Griffin tallied 23 points on just 11 shots.  What does that mean? It means Blake is finally becoming a great free throw shooter.  The Clippers escape a thriller with a 2 point victory over the surging Mavs.