“It would have been nice to get a win on opening night at home,” said Clippers head coach Casey Hill. “To have the travel day that we did, and get a win on another team’s floor shows resilience. We found stuff that worked and got key stops down the stretch.”
After an evenly matched first quarter, the Clippers pulled away before half time, thanks to a four-point play from guard C.J. Williams. Williams was fouled with .5 seconds left on the game clock and hit his free throw to give the Clippers a nine-point lead heading into the break.
The third quarter saw the Suns take the lead briefly before the Clippers went on a 7-2 run to close out the period and not look back, as they stretched their lead out to as many as 19 points over the last two quarters of play. Wilson scored 18 on the night, while Andre Dawkins and J.J. O’Brien added 17 points apiece. Tyrone Wallace joined Johnson in the double-double club, pouring in 19 points and 12 rebounds. For the Suns, Josh Gray and Askia Booker each contributed 28 points.
The Clippers return home on Tuesday, as they take on the Iowa Wolves in a 7 p.m. tip off at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
L.A. CLIPPERS RECALL JOHNSON FROM AGUA CALIENTE CLIPPERS OF ONTARIO
Johnson appeared in the AC Clippers’ first two games, and averaged 17.5 points, 10.5 rebounds & 2.0 steals in 2.7 minutes, while shooting 59.3% from the field.
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