Smooth Performance of the Night: Blake Griffin won't let the Clippers die
The Los Angeles Clippers lived to fight another day with an exhilarating Game 6 victory in San Antonio on Thursday, and they have Blake Griffin to thank for it.
Chris Paul bounced back from an 0-for-8 start to finish with 19 points and 15 assists - which created an additional 30 points - and DeAndre Jordan posted his usual double-double, but it was Griffin who carried the Clippers from wire to wire on Thursday.
Griffin, who was coming off of a 30-point, 14-rebound performance in Game 5, poured in 26 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, four blocks and a steal on 11-of-21 shooting, tossing his body around the floor in an exhausting, 41-minute masterpiece.
Griffin also put together one of the finer defensive performances of his career, one fourth quarter contest of Tim Duncan, in particular, standing out.
Blake Griffin's vertical challenge of Duncan's shot with about 5:50 left was one of the best defensive plays he's ever made in a big spot.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) May 1, 2015
Offensively, Griffin did most of his damage inside and from the left block, and didn't commit a turnover - a flaw in Games 2 and 5 - despite 102 touches and 74 passes in Game 6.
Griffin appeared to be running on fumes by the end of the night, and understandably so, staying on the court for the final 11:07 of game time.
The 26-year-old is logging more than 41 minutes a night through six games, and is averaging better than 24 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for the series, with the Clippers being outscored by a comical 42.9 points per 100 possessions in the 46 total minutes Griffin has sat.