Los Angeles Clippers: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 Vs. Jazz

2. Blake Griffin Will Have To Be More Consistent

Blake Griffin looked ready to carry the Los Angeles Clippers after a brilliant first half. He took full advantage of the absence of Rudy Gobert locking down the paint. Barring his first shot (a 17-foot jumper), all of his makes were either in the paint or behind the arc. Blake finished the first half with 20 points and repeatedly bowled over a clearly outclassed Boris Diaw.

The second half was quite different for the star forward. Diaw appeared to have a better handle on Griffin, and Derrick Favors did a better job of protecting the rim. Griffin made just two of his eight field goal attempts, including a dismal 2-of-6 near the basket. He completely disappeared in the fourth quarter, taking just two shots and missing both, but adding two points at the free throw line.

While throwing the ball to Chris Paul and telling him to score is an effective strategy, Blake has to be more involved in the offense than he was in the second half last night–especially with Gobert out. The Clippers will be far better off if he could spread his 26 points out over the whole game, instead of limiting his aggression to the first half.