Clippers' Griffin gets the better of Anthony Davis in star-studded matchup

Published Dec. 7, 2014 2:34 a.m. ET

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Blake Griffin clearly thrived on the challenge of defending against rising star Anthony Davis.

Griffin is known for his offense and high-flying dunks -- and he had one Saturday night against the Pelicans -- but his defensive prowess is gaining more attention, and it was on display against New Orleans' Davis.

Davis was held to two shots for two points in the first quarter, in which the Clippers built a big lead and eventual 120-100 win over the Pelicans at Staples Center. He finished with 26 points on 9 of 15 shooting and a season-low three rebounds, including just one offensive rebound. Much of his success in the paint came with Griffin on the bench.

"I love challenges like that. He's obviously one of the best players, not just power forwards, but players in the league," Griffin said of the matchup. "To have a challenge like that and go up against a guy like that is fun but ultimately you can't get too caught up in the matchup like that. You have to stay focused, making sure you're doing your job for your team. I think we did that tonight."

Griffin was busy on the defensive end, but he still did his usual thing offensively, scoring 30 points on 10 of 15 shooting. He also made 10 of 15 free throws and added seven rebounds and five assists. Griffin had only three personal fouls, and one of those came against Jrue Holiday on a switch.

While Griffin is playing so well on both ends of the floor, it's his defense that's really impressing Doc Rivers.

"Blake was great defensively," Rivers said. "Our defense in the first quarter as good as you're going to get. We were always in the right place and we had many deflections. On offense, we had great ball movement. Our team likes to score, but they've started to understand the more stops you get, the more rhythm you have offensively."

Davis downplayed the matchup.

"I just go out there and play," Davis said. "I don't worry about who is guarding me or who is guarding who. I try to worry about the team and what I can do offensively and defensively to help the team win. It's not me versus Blake, or me versus whoever. It's the Pelicans versus whatever team we are going to play."

Griffin was proud of the Clippers' team defensive effort.

"Through the years you realize what wins games, and you realize what wins playoff games," Griffin said.

After the first quarter, the Clippers led 34-18 and at one point had an 18-point lead that they frittered away in the second quarter. The game was tied at 54 at halftime. Doc Rivers said the Clippers starters were upset at halftime, and the Clippers rebounded -- especially on the defensive end, following Griffin's lead -- in outscoring the Pelicans 39-24 in the third quarter.

The 25-year-old Griffin would've placed offensive numbers as a priority in a star-studded matchup like this before, trying to outscore the player he was responsible for defending. Now, his top priority is in keeping that player in check.

"Before the (I was) game watching film of him, where he catches the ball, what he's doing on the block," Griffin said of Davis. "That was my main focus coming into this game. Definitely, that mindset has shifted."

And it's working.

And the Clippers are rolling, having won seven consecutive games. At 14-5, they are three games back in sixth place in the ultra-tough Western Conference. Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Paul and the Clippers will try to run their winning streak to eight when the Phoenix Suns come to town Monday.

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