Dynamic playmaker has a career night out, but it’s not enough for the win over Los Angeles.
Jamal Crawford’s 37 points helped the Los Angeles Clippers withstand a 51-point barrage by Toronto’s Terrence Ross Saturday in a 126-118 NBA victory over the Raptors.
Crawford also handed out 11 assists as the Clippers spoiled Ross’s career night.
“Our team, before the game I asked the guys who were the shooters on their team, and they said ‘Everybody but Ross,'” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.
“I said ‘Guys, that’s what he does. You think he’s just a dunker, he’s really a shooter.’
“He was great, but we won the game and that’s all we came here for,” Rivers added. “When you can absorb a 50 (point performance) and win a game it says a lot about your team, it really does.”
Second-year guard Ross tied Vince Carter’s Raptors team single-game scoring record, set in February of 2000.
He improved his own previous career high of 26 points, against Portland in January of last year.
Ross made 10 of 17 three-point attempts, setting a franchise record for three-pointers in a half by making seven in the first half.
He scored 28 points in the second half after team-mate DeMar DeRozan departed the contest with a sprained left foot.
Blake Griffin scored 30 points, J.J. Redick added 18 and Darren Collison added 12 for the Clippers, who have won two straight despite the absence of point guard Chris Paul. Paul remains sidelined by a separated left shoulder.
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