Clippers' Paul Historically Efficient over 2-Game Span
Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul was remarkably efficient over his last two games, becoming the first player since turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78 to record 25-plus points, 12-plus assists, a field-goal percentage of 60 or better and one or fewer turnovers in back-to-back contests, per NBA.com/stats.
While the record isn't exactly a prestigious one, nobody can deny that Paul has been fantastic since Blake Griffin was forced to the sidelines with a staph infection in his elbow.
Paul and center DeAndre Jordan have both stepped up in a huge way, leading the Clips to a 7-3 record in Griffin's absence, despite dealing with a stretch of the schedule that has included games against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets (twice) and Memphis Grizzlies (twice).
Paul has double-doubled in nine of the 10 games sans Griffin thus far, with the lone exception being a 125-99 blowout over the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 21, when the Clips only needed their superstar point guard to log 27 minutes. Of course, Paul still came awfully close in that game, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds.
He didn't leave any doubt in the past two games, going for 28 points and 12 assists in Sunday's 96-86 win over the Knicks, followed by a 26-point, 14-assist showing in Monday's 110-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Paul made 12 of his 19 field-goal attempts (63.2 percent) against the Bulls, and 12 of his 20 (60 percent) against the Timberwolves. He only had one turnover in each contest, giving him a three-game streak with exactly one turnover, 12 or more assists and 19 or more points.
The 29-year-old point guard will hope to keep things going in Wednesday's home game against the Portland Trail Blazers, which will be followed by a Sunday road game against the Western Conference-leading Golden State Warriors.
While not quite a part of the MVP conversation, Paul at least deserves a mention for keeping his team afloat in such a difficult part of the schedule.
