Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul played the role of maestro to perfection in L.A.’s 117-107 road win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, as he registered an explosive 40-point, 13-assist, eight-rebound performance.
Paul controlled the game with a brilliance that resemblant of his prime days as a New Orleans Hornet, and he, along with JJ Redick, DeAndre Jordan and the rest of the Clippers roster is staying afloat in the Western Conference as Blake Griffin and Austin Rivers continue to nurse injuries.
Paul is the first guard since to tally at least 40 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and shoot 50% in a game since Russell Westbrook last season, and in his last five outings, Paul is averaging 25 points, 11 assists, 5.6 rebounds and is shooting 53% from the field and 42% from behind the arc.
One guy who wasn’t too thrilled about Paul’s great game was Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who took exception to Paul trying to pry the ball away from Boogie by poking at it as he got set to inbound it. Cousins then launched the ball at Paul’s dome, continuing one of the NBA’s most entertaining beefs between superstars.
The play didn’t warrant a technical, and Paul didn’t bother retaliating. I guess CP wanted to take the high-road and use his play on this night to serve as his rebuttal.
