Chris Paul Delivers On Clutch, Sends Los Angeles Clippers To West Semis With Game 7 Win Over San Antonio Spurs

The criticism on Chris Paul is that he has not done enough in crunchtime to bring his past teams to playoff success. Pau shed off that reputation and some on Saturday night after the Los Angeles Clippers nipped the San Antonio Spurs, 111-109 thanks to a game-winner with a second to go in the game. Paul finished with 27 points, 6 assists and 2 steals—plus one hamstring injury—to lead the Clippers past the defending champions, 111-109.

Paul has to recover from that injury fast as they face James Harden and the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semi-finals, which begins on Monday. Paul’s alley-oop partner Blake Griffin added 24 points for the Clippers, who also got timely contributions from Matt Barnes, who had 17 points and Jamal Crawford, who came off the bench for 16 markers. DeAndre Jordan helped the Clippers’ cause with 14 rebounds.

The Spurs went all the way to the title last season but bowed out of contention early in these playoffs. Tim Duncan (27 points and 11 rebounds), Tony Parker (20 points) and Danny Green (16 points and 5 blocked shots) all played well in their season finale but got outplayed in the waning moments of the game.

With over two minutes to go, the Spurs had the 105-102 lead but Barnes made a crucial three-pointer to tie the game. Parker hit a two-pointer off an offensive rebound to give the Spurs a 107-105 lead but again, the Clippers responded courtesy of a Crawford shot to tie the game at 107-all with over a minute to go in the game. After Paul and Duncan exchanged perfect trips from the line, the Clippers went to their court general in what would be the game-winning play of the game and the nail on the coffin on the Spurs’ season.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au.