After surgery to remove a staph infection knocked Blake Griffin out for 4-6 weeks, including the All-Star Game, he returned on Sunday to help his Clippers face the Rockets. But he didn’t really show he was back until last night’s 99-92 win over the Hornets.
Blake struggled to find his offensive rhythm on Sunday in a 100-98 Rockets win. He was only 4-of-10 from the field in 40 minutes, despite adding 11 boards and eight dimes. In the first half against the Hornets, he was 7-of-9 from the field including this generous helping of a jam off a fun set from the Clippers:
This was stupendous. Redick leads his man into the near corner (where there’s no way he’s leaving him for an easy three). And Blake staggers his run off Redick’s movement to catch the hand-off from CP3 while also using the stout Clippers point as a screener. Voila, jam time.
Earlier, Blake showed off his handle before a swooping bank shot across the lane:
The “Flying Lion” had 19 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 36 minutes of action. The Clippers need Blake at peak performance if they’re going to survive the Western Conference playoff onslaught awaiting them at the end of next month.
