DeAndre Jordan leaped up and tapped it in - an instant too early. The San Antonio Spurs got the biggest bounce in a game full of them, and the champs landed on the brink of the second round. Tim Duncan scored 21 points before Jordan was called for basket interference with 4.
San Antonio earned the chance to close it out at home on Thursday night, but only after its lead dwindled to in the frantic final minute at Staples Center. Blake Griffin launched a leaping leaner off an inbounds play with 6.
Jordan, who had 21 points and 14 rebounds, grazed the ball while it appeared to be inside the cylinder. We did a good job fighting to put us in a situation to go up one. You can't blame anybody on that but me. I tipped the ball. The officials decisively waved off the basket while Jordan waved his hands pleadingly, but the Clippers still hoped for a reversal on video review. The good news went to the Spurs, who have thrived in this series with slim margins of success - none smaller than this.
The ball was going in, and he happened to touch it. That would have put us down one. Instead, it was a completely different ballgame. We got a little lucky on the play. When the interference call was upheld, the Spurs' bench cheered while the Clippers' fans greeted it with resigned acceptance.
The Spurs hit three late free throws to pad the final score. I hope to God it was the right call. Duncan capped a vintage performance with a key block on Griffin in the final minute, while Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points for the five-time NBA champion Spurs, who won their second straight game in Los Angeles.
