LA Clippers: After Trail Blazers game team knows this season is special

The LA Clippers are on a mission. A personal matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers helped further the growing chemistry the team is working to build.

When you are doing something that you love you find that it is easy to dig in and reach your full potential. With Kawhi Leonard out the LA Clippers found themselves in a close game with the Portland Trail Blazers.

After Damian Lillard (88.2 percent free throw shooter this year) missed two free throws while being down one in the final seconds, Paul George and Patrick Beverley made sure Lillard knew how they felt about it.

After the game, there was a big argument between George and Lillard on social media. A Damian Lillard 3-pointer ended George’s season last year and from what happened in this game you can tell George didn’t forget it.

According to NBC Sports North West George said about Lillard’s shot:

"“That’s a bad shot. I don’t care what anybody says. That’s a bad shot. But, hey, he made it. That story won’t be told, that it’s a bad shot. You live with that.”"

The point of emphasis on the argument was the fact that George has left teams for better situations. Lillard on the other hand has been in Portland his whole career.

According to Yahoo Sports Lillard said:

"“Asking me about Patrick Beverley who — I sent him home before at the end of a game. Paul George just got sent home by me last year in the playoffs. So they know."

“The reason they reacting like that is because of what they expect from me, which is a sign of respect. It just shows what I’ve done at a higher clip more times than not. I’m not offended by it. If anything it should just tell you how much it hurt them to go through what I’ve put them through in those situations previously.”

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During the hiatus, there was talk about Lillard possibly leaving the Blazers and this game was a real shot to that notion with Leonard and two other crucial Clipper players not even playing.

With a hungry team like the Blazers fighting for a playoff spot and Lillard fighting to stay on the Blazers, the Clippers still proved to be too mighty for the North-Western squad. The Clippers after this game have to know that they are special.

The Clippers used the momentum from the Dallas win to overpower the Blazers in the game. It was a collective team effort. The team was 44.1 percent from 3-point range compared to the Blazers’ 39.5 percent, they outrebounded the Blazers and played great defense.

Damian Lillard was 10-of-23 from the field and 2-of-10 from 3-point range. The two missed free throws were his only free throws of the game. The Clippers did a great job of not letting him get into a groove, and that paid dividends at the end of the game.

Paul George took the ball again this game and was the main decision-maker. What resulted was 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. George shot 50 percent from the field, 50 percent from three and 100 percent from the line.

The LA Clippers know they have two of the best players in the league and they are letting them shine. George dominated the game with his talent.

Paul George is the difference

Going to LA was a long time coming. During his last days with the Indiana Pacers, that’s where he said he wanted to go. It seems like any obstacle that is in his way is getting destroyed.

After the game, George said:

“Competition is just part of the game.”

It appears that he is ready for that competition. No matter where it comes from.

George took the night off on a back to back against the Brooklyn Nets and the LA Clippers lost in a fighting effort. It is clear who is the engine that makes the Clippers run.

A loss against the Nets does not negate how big the Blazers win was. George had to get that game-winner last year out of his mind. A championship this season looks like it is the only result for the Clippers now. For the sake of the NBA today, George had to win to show what happens when a superstar does what he wants to do.