But that was not just what Los Angeles had to deal with as All-Star forward Blake Griffin was ejected late in the second quarter of the game after receiving his second technical foul.
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The loss is the Clippers fourth of the season and it leaves Los Angeles searching for answers.
Clippers point guard Chris Paul was sidelined again Thursday night in a 118-104 loss at Phoenix for a groin injury he suffered last week. The Suns refused to be discouraged, ending the half on a 9-1 run and not taking their foot off the gas. After all, there was a time when Paul and Chandler created magic on the court in New Orleans and it seemed like they’d be a great tandem for many, many years; the young point guard displaying handles that few had ever seen, finding the defensive-minded center for a seemingly endless loop of alley-oop lobs. “He didn’t say enough”. “Rivers said that Redick, who began experiencing discomfort in his back Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks, probably would sit out the Clippers” game Saturday against the Detroit Pistons. He hit consecutive triples in the third quarter, one from 3 feet behind the arc for a 97-76 lead. Rivers said he doubts Redick will play in the team’s home game against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
They may have a comfortable lead over the Sacramento Kings in the standing in the division but they should avoid losses and a win over a title contender in the Clippers will be a big thing for them. Kenneth Faried is averaging 16.7 points over his last three and Danilo Gallinari is scoring a team-high 18.9. He is averaging eight assists.
Phoenix also had a few injury issues as forward Markieff Morris left the game in the first quarter because of a sprained left knee and guard Ronnie Price departed in the second quarter because of a concussion.
The Suns had two injured players, too. Paul has missed two of Los Angeles’ nine games. From a macro standpoint, it paints a picture that Clipper fans can’t like – Griffin lost his composure, even knowing how badly his team needed him to be out there. Jordan was 5 of 13 from the free throw line.
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Suns: As the second half of a TNT doubleheader, the game tipped off at 8:52 p.m., local time…. Artis Gilmore holds the record at 59.9 percent.
