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Los Angeles Clippers: Takeaways From 111-104 Win In Season-Opener

By Cameron Stewart

Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) battles for a rebound against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) battles for a rebound against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 14, 2015, Shanghai, China; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) during the game as the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Charlotte Hornets at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Hornets beat the Clippers by a score of 113-71. Mandatory Credit: Danny La-USA Today Sports
Oct 14, 2015, Shanghai, China; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) during the game as the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Charlotte Hornets at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Hornets beat the Clippers by a score of 113-71. Mandatory Credit: Danny La-USA Today Sports /

Paul Pierce is exactly what the Clippers needed. 

Of the many new additions for the Clippers who made their debuts last night, none of them proved to be as good as The Truth, Paul Pierce.

Pierce finished with 12 points and seven rebounds for the night in only 24 minutes of play. Pierce’s stats are good enough of their own, but he had the mettle and composure to finish the game as the Clippers were collapsing.It wouldn’t be crazy to say that the biggest difference between last year’s collapse against the Rockets and the team that won last night is Paul Pierce.

The Kings went on a run capped by a Rudy Gay fall-away that gave the Kings a 93-92 lead, marking their first lead of the night. While the rest of the Clippers were forcing tough shots to try and stop the run, Pierce let the offense come to him and unleashed one of the many huge shots he’s made in his Hall of Fame-worthy career.

Paul Pierce might be one of the best players since Jordan at making huge momentum plays. Whether it’s hitting a monster three-pointer to make the hometown go nuts or a dagger that shuts up the opposing crowd, Paul Pierce was made to make that shot. Last year against the Rockets, the Clippers succumbed to the momentum the Rockets would build and Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, or J.J. Redick would react by trying to do too much to break through. Forcing shots is outside of their comfort zones. While this shot by Pierce isn’t forced and is wide-open, it still takes poise to knock it down when the offense has been failing.

Another memorable Pierce moment from last night was him posting up a former teammate from the Celtics’ championship season, Rajon Rondo.

Pierce’s debut with the Clippers was a strong one. Although he didn’t get the start, he played more minutes than any of his competitors for minutes. He finished the game, which is much more important than getting the start.

Next: Blake Griffin's superstar performance

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