Griffin reminds Clippers what they are missing
LOS ANGELES — Blake Griffin scored 44 points in his return to Staples Center for the first time against his old team as the Detroit Pistons beat the Los Angeles Clippers 109-104 on Saturday to snap a four-game skid.
Griffin was greeted with cheers during pregame introductions and received a standing ovation after a first-quarter video tribute from the team that drafted him first overall in 2009.
He stuck his right arm in the air and then brought his raised hands together in a thankful gesture without smiling. He clearly wanted to beat the team that stunningly traded him last January after he had signed a $171 million, five-year extension.
Griffin scored 15 points in the opening quarter when he got razzed by superfan Clipper Darrell during free throws. Griffin had 26 points in the first half to help Detroit to a 65-54 lead.
“Hey Blake, we miss you but enough for tonight, OK?” a Clippers fan implored.
Griffin averaged 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists in eight seasons for the Clippers.
HEAT 112, GRIZZLIES 108: In Miami, Justise Winslow scored 26 points, Dwyane Wade had a huge blocked shot in the final seconds and Miami beat Memphis.
Wade blocked a potential tying layup by Shelvin Mack, then won a jump ball to help the Heat escape. JaMychal Green had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies.
TIMBERWOLVES 110, PELICANS 106: In Minneapolis, Karl-Anthony Towns had 27 points and a career-high 27 rebounds to help Minnesota hold off Anthony Davis and New Orleans.
Towns swished a 3-pointer to make it 106-103 with 2:55 left, giving the Timberwolves the lead for good. Then he blocked a 3-point try by Davis on the other end, triggering a fast break that Tyus Jones finished with a layup.
MAGIC 105, CELTICS 103: In Orlando, Fla., Aaron Gordon had 28 points and 12 rebounds as Orlando beat Boston.
Jayson Tatum missed a jumper at the buzzer that would have tied it for the Celtics. They charged back from a nine-point deficit in the final 1:43 before losing to the Magic for the second time this season.
Kyrie Irving scored 25 points for the Celtics.
THUNDER 122, SPURS 112: In Oklahoma City, Dennis Schroder scored all of his 19 points in the second half to help Oklahoma City beat San Antonio.
Russell Westbrook had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Oklahoma City. The Thunder bounced back from a 154-147 loss in double-overtime loss to the Spurs on Thursday night.
SUNS 102, NUGGETS 93: In Phoenix, Kelly Oubre Jr. matched his career high with 26 points for the second time in three games as Phoenix beat Denver.
Deandre Ayton added 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns, who have won two of three with Devin Booker sidelined with back spasms.
KINGS 104, HORNETS 97: In Sacramento, Calif., Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 22 points off the bench to lead Sacramento past Charlotte.
JAZZ 110, BULLS 102: In Salt Lake City, Donovan Mitchell had 34 points to propel Utah past Chicago.