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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 center DeAndre Jordan (6) 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 center DeAndre Jordan (6) 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 /

Clippers glad to have DeAndre Jordan back.

Remember those few days when DeAndre Jordan was set to become a member of the Dallas Mavericks and the Clippers were facing the end of their time as a contender? It sure seems like a long time ago, but the Clippers saw just how important Jordan is to their team’s success last night.

Jordan ended the game with a very typical DeAndre Jordan stat line, but boy did they need him. Jordan finished with eight points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks, but even those numbers don’t show how crucial he was to the team’s success last night.

"DeAndre Jordan doing work on the defensive end."

Jordan was assigned the task of defending half-bulldozer, half-beast DeMarcus Cousins last night. Cousins had a fantastic night in his own right adding a Shaq-like 32 points and 13 rebounds. Cousins is one of the rare players who is matchup-proof in the NBA. There isn’t a person in the league capable of shutting down Cousins other than Cousins. Cousins also went 4-5 on three-pointers last night and if he can add the three-point shot to his repertoire, there’s no chance of defending him.

However as great as Cousins played, Jordan made him work for it and won a few defensive possessions. Cousins was 6-15 on two-point attempts, which is a more accurate way to measure Jordan’s effect on Cousins around the rim. Jordan drew a charge on Cousins and had a hand in Cousins playing in foul trouble throughout the game. Cousins fouled out with only 0.6 seconds left in the game, but his foul trouble caused him to be slightly less aggressive on both ends.

Jordan himself played in foul trouble, just something that’s going to happen when facing Cousins. When Jordan left the game, his absence was greeted with the Kings making a run that brought them back in the game. Jordan’s backup, Josh Smith, proved to be ill-equipped to defending Cousins and couldn’t be an offensive threat. Smith finished the game with only one point, six rebounds, and five turnovers while giving the Clippers four blocks. The big stat of the night is that Jordan was +15 while on the court while Smith was -14. The 29-point differential between the starting and backup center might be an outlier, but Smith’s consistent inconsistency has been a problem in the past. If Smith can’t play more like the guy who proved to be the difference for the Rockets in the postseason, Jordan’s presence will be crucial to the team’s success.

On the offensive end, as usual Jordan’s scoring was quiet but the points he did score were loud.

"CP3 to DeAndre Jordan for the jam!"

All in all, the Clippers played a wonderful game and maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the game. The team’s bench issues struck again as they were the main culprits that allowed the Kings to stage their comeback.

The Clippers don’t get much time to celebrate their victory as they play again tonight against the Dallas Mavericks in the Staples Center as the second game of TNT’s double-header.

Next: 25 Best Players to Play for the Los Angeles Clippers

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