April 23--Blake Griffin had a triple-double Wednesday, but he made a crucial mistake down the stretch that helped contribute to the Clippers' 111-107 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
After the game, the Clippers' superstar power forward took full responsibility for the defeat.
"You know that game is pretty much 100 percent on me," Griffin said. "I got the ball and, up two, needed to take care of it, needed to get a good shot or try to get fouled. [Instead] I turned it over, so that game is on me. That's what's on my mind."
Griffin's crucial turnover came following a pair of between-the-leg dribbles and the Clippers up, 94-92, with 11.9 seconds remaining in the game. The Clippers then fouled Patty Mills on the other end, and he made both free throws to tie the game at 94. With 1.9 seconds left, Chris Paul missed a jumper, then Griffin grabbed the rebound and tried to tip in the ball in with 0.2 seconds remaining, but he missed too. The game was then sent into overtime.
"That one is going to hurt," Griffin said. "But in the course of the game, we had to move on. Still had a chance there. I liked the way we fought, down 10, came back, got in the game, got up. I've just got to take care of the ball."
The Clippers trailed by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter before going on a 9-0 run. Griffin finished with 29 points on 12-for-25 shooting, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and five turnovers.
The series is now tied 1-1. Games 3 and 4 will be in San Antonio.
"There's a lot of basketball left to be played," Griffin said. "It's not over. We've just got to be better and go to their place and take one."
