Three-ball after three-ball after three-ball.
Led by an incredible shooting performance from Chris Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers walked away with a 122-105 road win in Game 1 of their second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Clippers jumped out to an early 39-25 head start in the first quarter and never looked back, entering the fourth quarter with a 104-78 lead as Thunder fans, who are often referred to as among the NBA's best, could be seen exiting Chesapeake Energy Arena to beat traffic.
It ended up being the Thunder's worst home loss since moving to Oklahoma City.
Star Performer
It didn't seem to matter where he was shooting from or who was guarding him. Chris Paul was simply unstoppable throughout all 28 minutes he was on the court.
Specifically, Paul finished with 32 points on 12-of-14 shooting, which is insane enough. But add in the fact he went 8-of-9 from beyond the arc, dished out 10 assists for a double-double, and didn't play a single minute in the fourth quarter, and the performance is undoubtedly among the best of Paul's nine-year career.
After 3, it's Clippers 104, Thunder 78. Chris Paul has 32 points on 12-of-14 shooting (8-of-9 from 3). #LACvsOKC pic.twitter.com/NpiAldsTtR
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 6, 2014
Paul's eight consecutive three-pointers also broke a playoff record that was held by Robert Horry, who hit seven three-balls without missing in 1997.
Again, it really didn't matter who was attempting to guard the Point God.
Chris Paul has made a pull-up jump shot against 7 different Thunder defenders tonight
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 6, 2014
Turning Point
By the end of the first quarter, Paul, who had never hit more than five three-pointers in a game, had already hit five of them.
Finishing the opening frame with 17 points, his explosive start allowed the Clippers to pull ahead to an early 39-25 lead that set the pace for the remainder of the contest.
Highlight Reel
Watch this step-back three-pointer from Paul in the first quarter.
[Courtesy: SB Nation]
Now imagine Paul hitting seven more of those and you've basically got your highlight reel.
There was also this impressive drive to the hoop by Russell Westbrook, whose 29 points on 9-of-14 shooting took a back seat to Paul's performance.
Quote of the Game
According to Westbrook, the eight three-pointers Paul hit are "nothing crazy."
Westbrook on Chris Paul: "He hit eight 3s. He wasn't doing nothing crazy. He hit eight 3s."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) May 6, 2014
Series at a Glance
Game 1: LAC 122 OKC 105 (Clippers lead series 1-0)
Game 2: Wednesday, May 7 - 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 3: Friday, May 9 - 10:30 p.m. ET
Game 4: Sunday, May 11 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Game 5*: Tuesday, May 13 - TBD
Game 6*: Thursday, May 15 - TBD
Game 7*: Sunday, May 18 - TBD