SAN ANTONIO – Feeling the historical importance of the moment, Chris Paul put the Los Angeles Clippers on his back and carried them to victory in game four of their first round playoff series with the San Antonio Spurs.
Paul scored 34 points and controlled both sides of the ball as the Clippers defeated the defending champion Spurs 114-105 to even the best of seven series at two games apiece.
"All my teammates, my dad, my brother, they all told me I was too passive," said Paul. "So in this game I just came out and tried to be aggressive."
Blake Griffin had another spectacular game filling the stat sheet with 20 points, 19 rebounds and a game-high seven assists.
J.J. Redick had his best game of the series as he scored 17 points with on 3-of-6 shooting from the three-point line.
The Clippers responded in veteran fashion after getting annihilated in game three 100-73 in what was their worst playoff loss in franchise history. They did what they needed to do by winning a game on the road and retaining home court advantage with three games remaining in the series.
"This is a tough place to win and its good. Now we're coming back home and we'll need all our Clippers fans on Tuesday," added Paul.
The Clippers need to have another game of this magnitude or better as the series switches back to Los Angeles and everyone knows the Spurs will come back with a vengeance in game five.
Kawhi Leonard had 26 and Tim Duncan added 22 to lead the Spurs on offense.
Patty Mills was marvelous for the Spurs off the bench with 14 points, providing effort and energy every time the Spurs trailed.
Tony Parker scored 18 for San Antonio.
Both teams had at least five players in double figures with the Spurs leading the way with six.
There were 18 lead changes in the game which was a far cry from game three which saw the Spurs lead from wire to wire.
Austin Rivers exploded off the bench for the Clippers making his father proud with 16 points. Jamal Crawford contributed 15 off the bench, respectively.
"Game ball goes to Austin Rivers," said Paul of his teammate. "This is his first playoffs and what he did out there motivated our team. Hell of a game by Austin."
Three-point specialist Danny Green had his worst playoff game as a pro scoring zero points on 0-for-4 shooting.
Game Notes:
Chris Paul had more turnovers (six) than assists (four) in game three. He made sure to hang on to the ball in game four as the superstar point guard only committed two turnovers in 38 minutes of play.
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