The Sports Xchange
Oct 22, 2017
LOS ANGELES -- Blake Griffin scored 29 points and DeAndre Jordan added 13 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers remained undefeated with a 130-88 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.
Alex Len scored 15 points and Devin Booker added 13 as the Suns struggled on the second night of back-to-back games. Tyson Chandler grabbed 14 rebounds.
Phoenix fell to the Lakers on Friday night in a high-scoring affair and is now 0-3 on the season.
The Suns' defense remains a work in progress. They have failed to allow less than 124 points in any of their three games and allowed at least 130 in each of the past two nights. They have given up 128.7 points per game.
The Clippers moved to 2-0, playing a game that looked much like their season-opening victory on Thursday over the Lakers. Griffin controlled the offense,
Jordan dominated on the boards and guard Patrick Beverley played harassing defense in the backcourt.
Booker and fellow Suns starting guard Eric Bledsoe combined for just 17 points.
Griffin shook off a slow start and was in sync by the third quarter. Clippers fans started an "MVP" chant while Griffin stepped to the free-throw line in the second half of the home opener.
Griffin was 1 of 5 from the field in the opening quarter, but the Clippers still led 23-18.
Beverley finished with 15 points and Danilo Gallinari added 12. Lou Williams had 18 points and six assists off the bench for the Clippers, and Wilie Reed added 12 points.
The Clippers got a scare in the first half when rookie starting guard Milos Teodosic went down with a foot injury after Chandler stepped on him during a rebound. Teodosic was carried off the court and did not return, but X-rays were negative and he was listed as day to day.
The Clippers easily won the rebound battle 51-36 and had 26 assists to the Suns' 19.
NOTES: Clippers F Blake Griffin did not play in the final 12 minutes as the Clippers led handily 90-64 after three quarters. ... With his three field goals made Saturday, Clippers C DeAndre Jordan moved five from 2,500 in his career. ... Suns G Devin Booker was in the starting lineup despite a left hip contusion suffered in Friday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He had been listed as questionable. ... One night after leading the Suns with 28 points, including 16 on the fourth quarter, Suns G Eric Bledsoe scored just four points against his former team.