By Kyle Soppe
With two teams that average over 98 points per game, and surrender in the mid 90’s as well, a high scoring game was to be expected in Portland on Thursday night. That could have not be less accurate, as the Clippers totaled 74 measly points, and won.
Both LA and Portland were led in shot attempts by a player who didn’t start the game (Mo Williams and Jamal Crawford respectively)
Continuing with Williams, he wasn’t on the floor for the opening tip, but managed to account for 41.2% of the teams three point attempts (50% of their makes) and 42.1% of their free throw attempts (50% of their makes). The 15 shots seem like a lot for a reserve, but it is a number he has matched or eclipsed once every two games over the last month.
The Clippers 74 points was their lowest total in a winning effort this season, and was only the second time they won a game in which they scored fewer than 91 points.
The visitors won 74-71, and cashed in with three technical free throws in the second half.
LA had more fouls than assists + steals + three pointers made.
With pass men like Chris Paul and Raymond Felton active and playing at least half of the game, the fact that no player recorded more than four assists is surprising. Further more, the three players that recorded a game high four assists average height was 6’8″ (Randy Foye, Gerald Wallace, and Marcus Camby).
The Trail Blazers scored fewer than 20 points in three quarters, yet managed to lead by 18 in the first half.
The home team scored 27 points in the first quarter, and 28 in the second half.
Fun with jersey numbers …
The Clippers started the lowest five combine jersey numbers in the NBA this season (the five starters numbers added to 50).
By contrast, the Trail Blazers had 53 minutes logged by players with a jersey number in the 80’s (Nicolas Batum and Craig Smith). If you’re curious, 53 minutes is the third highest by such players in the NBA this season, and the same two players accounted for the top two minute totals.
Clipper players that recorded at least 10 minutes, a total of seven players, had jersey numbers that summed to 77.
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