Blake Griffin to miss two weeks because of partially torn tendon
Playing in the last game of the night, a 7:30 p.m. tip, the Lakers and Clippers drew a 4.2 rating in Los Angeles and a 2.2 overnight rating. The Lakers have played on Christmas every year since 1998, when their season opener was delayed until February 5 because of a lockout that reduced the schedule to 50 games. That timetable sets Griffin up to miss a minimum of seven games (at Utah, at Washington, at Charlotte, at New Orleans, vs 76ers, at Portland, vs Hornets). I think Kobe should be on the All-Star team. “He’s been good the last 10 games or so”.
“I thought they handled it well”, Scott said, “I really did. I’m pretty sure he’s happy with how he’s playing, but I’m pretty sure he also thinks he could play better, which he probably can”.
The Clippers never trailed and used 17 points by Paul to build a 60-44 halftime lead. He played 26 minutes and sat out the entire fourth quarter while the Lakers outscored the Clippers 27-9. The Clips entered the final 12 minutes with an 85-57 advantage, which proved more than enough to hold off the Lakers who made a great fourth quarter run.
He revealed that he listened daily to Journey’s ubiquitous “Don’t Stop Believin'” for two years after the Lakers were pummeled by the Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals.
The Clippers say that Griffin will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
It’s not like the Clippers haven’t proven the ability to win without Griffin in the past either.
Rookie D’Angelo Russell had a team-high 16 points off the bench for the Lakers.
J.J. Redick had 14 points and DeAndre Jordan had nine points and 14 rebounds for the Clippers.
“That was kind of indicative of how this season has gone”, Scott said after his team’s record fell to 5-25.