Clippers set for game 3 against Trail Blazers

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After dominating the Portland Trail Blazers in the first two games of their first round NBA Playoffs series, the Los Angeles Clippers are getting ready to for for a third straight win. They know it won’t be easy, considering the abilities of the Blazers, especially in their home arena, the Moda Center, in Portland.

Chris Paul scored a double-double in Sunday’s game one: 28 points and 11 assists.
Chris Paul scored a double-double in Sunday’s game one: 28 points and 11 assists.

After game one Clippers point guard Chris Paul said of Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, “It’s tough. Dame’s a handful. He’s got the pull up, he’s got the drive, he’s got all of that, along with C.J. (McCollum).”

After game two Paul said, “I could have been better. Dame is tough to defend, which is why we give him all those different looks and stuff like that. Tonight I could have done a better job, not just giving him the back door lay ups and dunks and things like that.”

Clippers forward Blake Griffin added, “Controlling guys like C.J. and Damian is not like a guard thing, it’s not an individual thing. It’s a team thing because of how good they are.”

Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers finished game two with 17 points and 3 assists and 6 rebounds.
Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers finished game two with 17 points and 3 assists and 6 rebounds.

Those aren’t the only two players making an impact for Portland. Griffin said, “Not allowing guys like Ed Davis, Mason Plume — who plays so hard, crashes the boards so hard every time — Chris Kaman, those guys, to have a huge impact.”

What’s worked for the Clippers so far has been stopping Portland’s pick and rolls. But there’s no guarantee the Clippers will be able to contain the Trail Blazers three straight games.

Below is a video from our reporter Claudia Gestro from the Clippers’ post game press conference after game two.

Photos by Claudia Gestro
who contributed to this article
.