It's not where it needs to be, but it's getting better.
The on-court chemistry between Chris Paul and Blake Griffin hasn't reached its full potential, but as the Clippers have gone deeper into the playoffs, the continuity has shown in key moments.
"It's a lot better than it was at the beginning of the season, but it's a situation where we haven't had much practice time," Griffin said. "We haven't had time other than in real games to work on it. It can be better, and it will get better."
Paul continued to find Griffin in the right spots in the first half Monday in game four, helping Griffin score 16 points. Griffin finished with 30, and Paul scored 27.
But a perfectionist like Paul won't ever be pleased.
"We're as comfortable as you could be in the amount of time it's been," Paul said. "It's as good as it's going to be right now."
NOTES, QUOTES
Poor free-throw shooting a concern
--Over the course of their series with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Clippers have been able to shrug off defensive pressure and shoot the ball well from the field.
When Memphis hasn't been playing defense, though, the Clippers have been pretty awful.
After making just 13-of-30 from the free-throw line in their game three win, the Clippers showed early improvement Monday. In game four, the Clippers made 14-of-18 in the first half before working back towards Earth.
While the Clippers finished 28-of-40 from the foul line, guard Mo Williams sank two free throws to ice the Clippers' 101-97 win.
"We've had our moments," Vinny Del Negro said. "And we've had our moments that haven't been so perfect."
--Heading into Monday's game, the Clippers were just 3-12 when Blake Griffin scored 25 points or more this season. Monday, the Clippers' bucked that trend by scoring 30 points in the team's win.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I had NBA TV." -- Clippers guard Chris Paul, on whether he knew what to expect out of Blake Griffin. Griffin scored 30 points in the Clippers' overtime win game four Monday.
ROSTER REPORT
PLAYER NOTES:
--F Blake Griffin scored a team-high 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Griffin also hit 10-of-17 from the line while dishing out seven assists in the Clippers' win.
--F Reggie Evans continued to make a major impact on the series. Evans, playing only 25 minutes off the bench, grabbed eight rebounds -- including four on the offensive end.
--F Caron Butler scored the Clippers' first eight points of the game, helping keep the score close while the Clippers found their footing. Butler finished with 14 points.
--G Chris Paul scored eight points in overtime, helping the Clippers go up 3-1 in their series with Memphis. Paul finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
