For the first 17 games this season, Eric Bledsoe had to watch his teammates do all the spectacular things on the court from the bench.
Even when he returned from offseason knee surgery, his minutes were scarce and he struggled to find his way. But after another solid performance in the Clippers' 109-94 win over Sacramento on Saturday, it's safe to say Bledsoe's settled in.
"I try to make all the hustle plays and turn them into crowd-reacting plays," Bledsoe said. "I want to get the crowd into it the best way I can, and I feed off the crowd as I go."
Bledsoe electrified the crowd with a pair of dunks and a pair of alley-oop tosses. He finished with eight points, nine assists and three steals.
"Every time he comes into the game, something happens," guard Randy Foye said.
Bledsoe delivered in the game's signature stretch, throwing a lob to Blake Griffin on one play and catching one for a dunk on the next.
NOTES, QUOTES
Griffin shrugs off Cousins' words, Paul calls it jealousy
--After the Clippers met the Kings in Sacramento on Thursday night, Kings center DeMarcus Cousins called Blake Griffin an "actor" and said he was "babied" by officials.
Griffin said the comments didn't affect him, but he did admit he'd never been called either thing in his career.
Clippers guard Chris Paul said he had an idea for Cousins' motivations.
"Other guys have to compete against him harder because they want that same status and stature he has," Paul said. "Sometimes, it's jealousy. You just never know where it's coming from."
While Griffin and Cousins matched up again Saturday, the two didn't get into any physical altercations.
--With the win and a Lakers loss, the Clippers are now a half-game back of first in the Pacific Division. The Clippers and Lakers are also separated by only a half-game for third place in the Western Conference.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I mean this in the nicest way possible: You have to consider the source." -- Clippers forward Blake Griffin on criticism from Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins.
ROSTER REPORT
PLAYER NOTES:
--F Blake Griffin hit 12 of 15 from the field for a game-high 27 points against the Kings on Saturday. But he made just 3 of 9 from the foul line.
--G Chris Paul scored 19 points and dished out 15 assists in the Clippers' win Saturday.
--G Eric Bledsoe had a season-high nine assists in the Clippers' win Saturday. Bledsoe also scored eight points, grabbed three rebounds and recorded three steals.
--G Randy Foye made seven 3-point shots Saturday against the Kings. Earlier in April, Foye tied the franchise record by making eight threes against Dallas.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Chauncey Billups (left Achilles tendon) underwent surgery and is out for the remainder of the season.
--G Mo Williams (left big toe) left a game early two weeks ago. Williams is day to day.
