Jan. 10--The Clippers defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 97-83, on Saturday afternoon at Staples Center. Here are five takeaways from the game:
1) The Clippers somehow defeated the Charlotte Hornets without shooting any free throws in the first half.
For the game, the Clippers shot only 10 free throws, making nine.
Chris Paul, who led the Clippers in scoring with 25 points, didn't go to the free-throw line one time.
DeAndre Jordan went to the line four times, making three of them. Luc Mbah a Moute, J.J. Redick and Austin Rivers were all two for two from the free-throw line.
"We still need to get to the free-throw line," Paul said. "But it just shows we have the ability to win in different ways."
Charlotte was 14 of 19 from the free-throw line.
2) The Clippers are serious about playing defense.
If you take away the 28 points they gave up to the Hornets in the second quarter, a quarter in which Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said his second unit was upset because it felt that the group was too lax on defense, the Clippers allowed just 55 points in three quarters.
They held the Hornets to 37 second-half points on 34.2% shooting.
3) Jordan continues to rebound like a machine.
He had 19 boards against Charlotte, seven on offense.
That gave the Clippers extra offensive opportunities because Jordan keeps the possession alive.
He now is second in the NBA in rebounds, averaging 13.5 a game.
4) The Clippers weren't very good from three-point range.
They made just 25.8% of their three-pointers.
Paul Pierce didn't help matters, missing all eight of his three-pointers. Jamal Crawford was one-for-seven from three-point range and Wesley Johnson one-for-five.
5) The Clippers took good care of the basketball, turning it over just nine times.
What's hard to believe is that Paul had five of the turnovers.
Sure, he's the point guard and has the ball in his hands the most.
But Paul values the basketball and is one of the best in assist-to-turnover ratio.
broderick.turner@latimes.com
