Story By: Richard Thomas
Photos By: Hal Jalikakik
Washington, D.C–
When Chris Paul is on top of his game, you better watch out. That is exactly what the Wizards had to do tonight as Paul found ways to get to the rim and even manage 2 dunks in the game without his big man Blake Griffin to help him in the 108-91 defeat.
DeAndre Jordan had 15 points and 13 rebounds as Los Angeles won its third straight.
Reserve Jamal Crawford added 21 points, part of 54 scored by substitutes in a game the Clippers never trailed and led by at least 10 for the final three quarters.
John Wall is doing all he can in what looks like another All Star season. He finished with 23 points and 11 assists, and Marcin Gortat added 12 points and 16 rebounds as the Wizards’ four-game win streak was snapped.
Otto Porter added 21 points off the bench in his second game back for Washington after missing three with a thigh issue. The Wizards are still dealing with injuries to starting guard Bradley Beal and reserves Nene, Gary Neal and Drew Gooden.
“We have to find ways to make this line-up work where we can take some of the load off John. As many of you can see Otto was a big help again tonight and we are getting some good bench production, but tonight we just dug too big of a hole being down 19 to a team like the Clippers is not easy to come back from, said Wizards Head Coach Randy Wittman.
The Wizards welcomed Paul Pierce back to the Verizon Center for the first time since he left the team in the off season signing with the Clippers. His choice was to go with a team that he hoped would take him back to the finals one more time with the Clippers, where the Wizards were young and growing behind Wall and Beal.
“Just being around the young guys, teaching them every day, talking to them, this was one of my funnest years,” said Pierce. “I embraced the city. They embraced me back.”
Next up for the Wizards is a trip to Toronto on Wednesday night.
