Super sub strikes again
Williams has 40 points and 10 assists off the bench, a rare feat in the NBA
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — All season long, it seems, Lou Williams has been painting a beautiful picture for the Clippers.
His masterpiece this time was a 40-point, 10-assist work of art that drove the Clippers to a 109-100 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at the FedEx Forum.
He was efficient in doing so too, going 12 for 19 from the field, four for 10 from the three-point line and 12 for 14 from the free-throw line.
This all took place in Williams’ typical sixth-man role.
“I’m a scorer, but it’s just the opportunity to be out on the floor and just trying to create things,” Williams said. “This is such a unique season for me with what’s expected of me. It’s unique. Every night it’s a different vibe for me.”
According to Elias Sports, Williams became only the third player since stats were recorded for reserves during the 1970-71 season to produce 40-plus points and 10-plus assists off the bench. The other two to accomplish it were Pete Maravich, who did it on Nov. 28, 1973 for the Atlanta
Hawks, and Brian Winters, on Jan. 22, 1982 for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Williams joined Ben Gordon, Al Harrington and Nick Young as the only players with multiple 40-pluspoint games off the bench in a season since the 1984-85 season.
None of that meant much to Williams.
His concern was for the Clippers breaking a threegame losing streak and how they are in the ninth spot in the Western Conference, one game behind the Denver Nuggets.
“It’s a struggle, man. We’re trying to stay in that eighth spot,” Williams said. “That’s how I look at it.”
DeAndre Jordan also established a franchise milestone along the way.
He played in his 716th game, allowing the center to become the franchise leader in that category, breaking a tie with Randy Smith.
“It’s been a long journey,” Jordan, who had 15 points and nine rebounds, said about his 10 seasons with the Clippers. “Coming here when I was 19 and not playing hardly at all my first year, it’s been a cool ride though. They stuck with me and let me grow into a better player and person. Making history is always great, whatever you’re doing.”
Milos Teodosic also had a milestone, scoring a careerhigh 18 points.
Blake Griffin was solid again, scoring 14 points, grabbing eight rebounds and handing out five assists.
He even had an encounter with a courtside fan who grabbed Griffin by the arm after he tried to save the basketball late in the fourth quarter.
Griffin pushed away the fan, who was then escorted away.
Grizzlies center Marc Gasol had 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, but Memphis was hindered by 20 turnovers leading to 22 Clippers points
After the game, Griffin wanted to talk about Williams and how he didn’t make the All-Star team when the reserves were announced Tuesday.
“I don’t like to use the word snubbed for All-Star, just because I think the guys that do make it deserve to be there,” Griffin said. “But I think he definitely deserves to be there.
“He’s an All-Star to us. He’s been our MVP.”