Clippers must play through foul issues
There were 51 fouls called Saturday in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round playoff game between the Clippers and the Warriors, 24 on Los Angeles and 27 on Golden State.
That was not what Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said he was expecting.
More so, Clippers all-star power forward Blake Griffin fouled out after playing just 19 minutes, 14 seconds because of foul trouble.
Clippers point guard Chris Paul had five fouls.
For the Warriors, Andre Iguodala fouled out and three other Golden State players had four fouls.
“I thought the game was called very close,” Rivers said. “And unfortunately for us, our two best players were the ones that bared the brunt of that. Chris was in foul trouble, Blake in foul trouble. ... That was not in my game plan.”
With Game 2 of the best-of-seven series Monday night at Staples Center, Rivers said he doesn’t want Griffin to change how he plays despite the Clippers being down 0-1 in the series.
Griffin picked up two fouls in the first 3:14 of the first quarter.
He picked up his third foul 39 seconds into the second quarter, forcing him back to the bench.
Griffin played just 15:21 in the second half because of more foul trouble.
“Blake needs to play even more intense, even more aggressive and not go the other way,” Rivers said.
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