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Keys to Victory

3. Capitalizing on Mistakes

What was the difference between the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers? Capitalizing on mistakes.

The Portland Trail Blazers failed to take advantage of their nine offensive rebounds. They'd consistently rush jump shots and failed to move the ball around the perimeter.

Instead, it was isolation basketball and missed opportunities to finish closing the gap.

As for the Clippers, they seemed to be right there with quick points whenever need be. DeAndre Jordan, Jamal Crawford and Chris Paul combined for 67 points, with Crawford leading the way with 25.

What's most important is that the team proved one thing the Blazers could not. When a star is struggling, the Clippers have enough depth to overcome such deficiencies.

Such was evident as Blake Griffin had just seven points.

2. Proving a Point

Forget about the Portland Trail Blazers' comeback and let's get one thing straight. The stars of this game were DeAndre Jordan and Jamal Crawford, both of whom had a point to prove.

Jordan took over the first three quarters of this game, putting up 21 points, eight rebounds, six offensive boards and one block. He made five consecutive free throws, thus offsetting the "hack-a-Jordan" approach Portland began to take in the second quarter.

What was most impressive, however, was the fact that a majority of his points came by virtue of hook shots and a wide-array of low-post moves.

As for Crawford, he was a disappointment last season in Portland. In his return to his former city, however, J-Crossover came up with 25 points, thus sinking any dreams the Blazers had of a comeback.

Behind those two powerful performances, the Clippers emerged victorious.

1. The Lack of a Bench

The most painful aspect of this game was how thin the Portland Trail Blazers' bench is. With Ronnie Price and Meyers Leonard the only players providing quality minutes for the second unit, the Blazers were unable to capitalize on any second half run they may have put together.

By quality minutes, of course, we're speaking of the fact that no other bench player saw more than 5 minutes of playing time. How can anyone expect to win when their starters are unable to rest their legs?

The Los Angeles Clippers are far too athletic to rely upon your starters for this long. Nicolas Batum was spectacular in the second half, scoring 12 points in the third quarter, but there was nothing left in the tank in the fourth quarter.

Even with Meyers Leonard's spectacular dunks, the Clippers won by virtue of having fresh legs. That and the fact that they're already more talented to begin with.

The Los Angeles Clippers now rise to 4-2. The Portland Trail Blazers fall to 2-3.

Box score via NBA.com.

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The Los Angeles Clippers rode DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul to a huge first half lead. With the Portland Trail Blazers displaying nothing short of defensive ineptitude, LAC jumped out to a 60-39 advantage.

Behind Nicolas Batum, however, the Blazers stormed back with a 32-point third quarter and cut the Clippers' lead to single-digits.

When the fourth quarter rolled around, we continued to see more of the same. Jordan and Jamal Crawford led the way as the Clippers pulled away, despite the best efforts of Batum and rookies Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard.

At the end of the day, Portland's weak second unit was just too much to overcome.

Los Angeles Clippers 103, Portland Trail Blazers 90 — End of the Game

Los Angeles Clippers

Jamal Crawford: 25 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
DeAndre Jordan: 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 offensive rebounds, 1 block
Chris Paul: 21 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steal
Blake Griffin: 7 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Eric Bledsoe: 6 points, 2 rebounds

Portland Trail Blazers

Nicolas Batum: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Damian Lillard: 16 points, 4 assist, 2 rebounds, 3 steals
LaMarcus Aldridge: 14 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 block
Wesley Matthews: 10 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals
Meyers Leonard: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal
J.J. Hickson: 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block 

It'll be interesting to see when head coach Terry Stotts opts to utilize the likes of Nolan Smith and Joel Freeland on a regular basis. Both would offer some serious relief to an otherwise putrid second unit.

Los Angeles Clippers 102, Portland Trail Blazers 88 — 44.6 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

Chris Paul adds to the 14-3 run that the Los Angeles Clippers are now on. Portland is flat out overwhelmed and the bench players are coming in. This game is over, folks, and the Blazers' lack of a second unit can be thanked for that.

A solid five but an otherwise poorly constructed rotation. That rests on general manager Neil Olshey's shoulders.

Los Angeles Clippers 100, Portland Trail Blazers 86 — 1:34 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

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Yet another wasted possession as Damian Lillard goes isolation and misses his jump shot. Blake Griffin responds with a jump shot and a four point deficit has suddenly become 11.

Another missed long jumper for Portland is missed. With no bench, the starters have been worn down.

Portland is going nowhere until their second unit is fixed. 13 point game.

Los Angeles Clippers 98, Portland Trail Blazers 85 — 2:51 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

The Portland Trail Blazers have seen all the opportunities in the world, but they're missing out on them.

Nicolas Batum misses one of two free throws. Batum then rushes a three-pointer and misses off of a steal. Blazers proceed to grab the offensive rebound and turn the ball over.

This is why they are 5-17 in their past 22 games decided by 5 points or less. They are young, immature and underdeveloped as a unit.

Until this changes, the postseason is nothing but a mirage.

Los Angeles Clippers 94, Portland Trail Blazers — 4:04 in the Fourth Quarter

Who else? DeAndre Jordan with the dunk.

21 points for Jordan

Los Angeles Clippers 90, Portland Trail Blazers 82 —5:45 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

The Portland Trail Blazers just cut this lead to four points in emphatic fashion! Meyers Leonard is out-dunking Blake Griffin and, quite frankly, has looked more impressive when the dunks have occurred!

Unfortunately, Ronnie Price has fouled out. He and Leonard have been their only quality reserves, which provides a giant void in the Blazers' fourth quarter gameplan.

Los Angeles Clippers 86, Portland Trail Blazers 82 — 7:11 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

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Since the 2011-12 season, the Portland Trail Blazers are 5-17 in games decided by five points or less. Not a promising number for them.

Wesley Matthews has missed two free throws in the past minute. As March Madness always shows us, that's a perfect way to lose.

Jamal Crawford now has 21 points against his former team. Meyers Leonard now has a Blake Griffin-type dunk on his resume.

Los Angeles Clippers 86, Portland Trail Blazers 78 — 8:41 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

Jamal Crawford steals an errant pass and completes the And-One. Wesley Matthews finds rookie Meyers Leonard on the other end for two and we're back within 7.

Ronnie Turiaf extends it to nine. So much depth for LAC and so little for Portland.

Wesley Matthews with a play of the night candidate there, driving the lane, throwing it up as he's fouled and banking it in.

Los Angeles Clippers 82, Portland Trail Blazers 75 — 10:10 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

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After falling behind by 21 points at the half, Nicolas Batum has led the Portland Trail Blazers on an incredible comeback run!

After scoring 39 points in the first half, Portland put up 32 in the third quarter alone. This came by virtue of their overwhelming three-point shooting and DeAndre Jordan picking up four fouls, right as he had been dominating the Blazers.

19 points for Jordan, but Batum now has 19 of his own. What a quarter from Batum, Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge and the Portland Trail Blazers!

Los Angeles Clippers 77, Portland Trail Blazers 71 — End of the Third Quarter

Los Angeles Clippers

DeAndre Jordan: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 offensive rebounds, 1 block
Chris Paul: 15 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steal
Jamal Crawford: 14 points, 2 rebounds
Willie Green: 7 points, 2 assists, 1 block
Eric Bledsoe: 6 points, 2 rebounds
Blake Griffin: 5 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals

Portland Trail Blazers

Nicolas Batum: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Damian Lillard: 16 points, 4 assist, 1 rebound, 3 steals
LaMarcus Aldridge: 14 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 block
Wesley Matthews: 7 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound, 3 steals
J.J. Hickson: 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block 

The Portland Trail Blazers have cut this game to single-digits via passion and three-point shooting. What has to be concerning, however, is the fact that the Blazers have not turned much to their bench in the third.

How much do their starters have left in the tank?

Los Angeles Clippers 77, Portland Trail Blazers 69 — 15.6 remaining in the Third Quarter

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The Blazers have cut the lead to 10! LaMarcus Aldridge with a jump shot and the Rose Garden has come to life!

Los Angeles Clippers 73, Portland Trail Blazers 63 — 2:30 remaining in the Third Quarter

Rookie Meyers Leonard tips out an offensive to rookie Damian Lillard. Lillard connects on the three-pointer from straightaway and we have ourselves a ball game!

14 point deficit and DeAndre Jordan commits his fourth foul. Huge shift in momentum!

Los Angeles Clippers 73, Portland Trail Blazers 59 — 3:12 remaining in the Third Quarter

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Nicolas Batum once again brings the crowd to life after connecting on a driving layup, plus the foul. Although the deficit is extreme, Portland must work off of their crowd to get back into this thing.

The Rose Garden is one of the loudest arenas in all of sports.

Chris Paul just quieted them with a floater. Batum, again, brings them back with a three-pointer.

Los Angeles Clippers 73, Portland Trail Blazers 56 — 4:10 remaining in the Third Quarter

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That was a phenomenal play by Nicolas Batum, who picks up the steal, goes behind the back to get around Chris Paul and makes the perfect bounce pass to a streaking Wesley Matthews. The crowd is finally back alive!

But DeAndre Jordan connects on a jumping hook with his left hand. Absolutely phenomenal work over the past 48 hours from D.J.

19 points tonight.

Los Angeles Clippers 71, Portland Trail Blazers 51 — 5:29 remaining in the Third Quarter

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LaMarcus Aldridge has done an excellent job defending Blake Griffin. Griffin is now 1-of-7 from the floor.

Unfortunately, Aldridge isn't doing much better. 5-of-13 from the floor.

That's how you end that streak. Blake Griffin with the alley-oop dunk.

Los Angeles Clippers 69, Portland Trail Blazers 45 — 7:12 remaining in the Third Quarter

DeAndre Jordan with his fifth offensive rebound of the night. He then utilizes an array of post moves to draw the foul on Nicolas Batum as the shot clock expires.

Jordan has now made five consecutive free throws after missing his first eight of the season. Most have seen nothing but the bottom of the net.

Los Angeles Clippers 65, Portland Trail Blazers 43 — 9:00 remaining in the Third Quarter

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The Los Angeles Clippers pick up where they left off, as DeAndre Jordan continues to display his progression as a player. He reads Chris Paul's eyes to perfection and puts himself in position to drop in two points.

He also hits a free throw. 15 points for Jordan and 5 assists for Paul.

Los Angeles Clippers 63, Portland Trail Blazers 41 — 10:26 remaining in the Third Quarter

The Portland Trail Blazers' defense continues to struggle. With absolutely no depth, that can only be expected of this poorly constructed franchise.

A starting five is only as good as the players behind them.

Blazers getting torched at halftime by Clippers, 60-39. Defense allowing 58.1 percent shooting.

— Jason Quick (@jwquick) November 9, 2012

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Thus far, the Clippers' bench has taken full control of this one. As for their starters, their +/- looks like this.

Chris Paul: +14
Willie Green: +6
Caron Butler: +5
Blake Griffin: +6
DeAndre Jordan: +8 

The Blazers' starters look like this.

Damian Lillard: -16
Wesley Matthews: -15
Nicolas Batum: -17
LaMarcus Aldridge: -18
J.J. Hickson: -16

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul: 13 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
DeAndre Jordan: 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 offensive rebounds, 1 block
Jamal Crawford: 10 points, 2 rebounds
Eric Bledsoe: 6 points, 2 rebounds
Blake Griffin: 2 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal

Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard: 10 points, 1 assist, 3 steals
LaMarcus Aldridge: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Nicolas Batum: 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Wesley Matthews: 5 points, 1 assist, 1 steal 

Chris Paul finds DeAndre Jordan inside, who takes one powerful dribble and throws it home with ferocity. He draws the foul and makes the free throw.

Jordan now has 12 points, five rebounds, four offensive boards and a block.

Damian Lillard misses the open jump shot, LaMarcus Aldridge fights for the offensive rebound and Nicolas Batum rushes a three. That's what youth will do for you, folks.

Force your team to miss out on opportunities.

Batum proceeds to make one of two free throws and cut this lead to 21. Not so promising in Portland.

Trail Blazers begin the hack-a-DeAndre Jordan. He makes one of two and is now 1-for-9 all season.