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Smooth Performance of the Night: Chris Paul reminds everyone he's the Point God

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Point God was in the building Sunday night. 

Chris Paul, who admitted he was dealing with some jitters before Game 1 between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs, looked about as cool, calm and collected as he could possibly be, turning in a complete and dominant performance, leading his team to first blood in what could be the series of the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Paul finished with 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting (including 3-of-5 from deep), seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. He was especially a force in the second half, scoring 25 on 10-of-13 shooting, while dropping absurd dimes to Blake Griffin. It was Paul's ninth career playoff game scoring at least 30 points. 

The Spurs had no answer for Paul, especially when he drove to his right. His midrange game remains one of the league's best, and when he's on like he was Sunday, there isn't a whole lot anyone can do about it - not even Gregg Popovich's Spurs. 

Paul played 38 minutes, the most since a 41-point effort on April 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Clippers improved to 15-1 since March 17 with the playoff win.

Los Angeles is peaking at the right time, and led by Paul, Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, as they were Sunday night, there's no team they can't take down. Especially if the Point God continues his deity-like play.

Paul came into the game averaging 20.6 points on 52 percent shooting in April - and those numbers are only going up Monday. 

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