San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (left) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers' DeAndre Jordan during the first half of their NBA game on Monday in San Antonio. The Clippers won 92-87. [Photo/Agencies] |
The San Antonio Spurs had rallied within a basket of the Los Angeles Clippers with less than 30 seconds remaining and the crowd was buzzing.
Some would call it a tense situation. Chris Paul calls it "winning time".
Paul had 19 points and eight assists and the Clippers beat San Antonio 92-87 on Monday night for their second win against the Spurs this season.
Paul's 10-foot jumper in the lane with 24.6 seconds left gave the Clippers a 91-87 lead.
"Yeah, I wanted to shoot; I didn't know how, I just needed a little space," Paul said.
"I love those situations - when it's winning time. We're up two with 24 seconds left, I want it."
Spurs guard Gary Neal missed a 3-point attempt on the subsequent possession, which Eric Bledsoe gathered for his fifth rebound. Bledsoe, who had nine points, made one of two free throws for the final margin.
Matt Barnes added 14 points, DeAndre Jordan 13 and Blake Griffin had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers (8-2).
"Of all our games, this game was in the soft category," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
"We never had five guys that competed hard enough to win the basketball game. The Clippers took it with their aggressiveness and their toughness, both mentally and physically. For a portion of that game, we were an embarrassment."