Blake Griffin was ready Saturday night with a retort for DeMarcus Cousins’ claims about his acting ability.
The Clippers’ power forward answered on the court, notching 27 points and 14 rebounds to lead his team to a 109-94 victory over Sacramento that pulled them within a half-game of the Pacific Division lead.
Earlier in the week, Cousins accused Griffin of being “an actor” who should be at home in Hollywood. Cousins was fined $25,000 by the league after claiming that referees treat Griffin differently than other players in the league.
Griffin provided an assortment of highlight-reel dunks over Cousins in a monster game in the Clippers’ eighth victory in their last nine games.
“I mean this in the nicest possible way, you have to consider the source,”Griffin told the Associated Press. “If this is somebody that really has been in this league a long time and really knows the ins and outs of the game, and he … has a great reputation for carrying himself the right way, that’s something that I would look at and go, `I really rubbed this guy the wrong way.’ But something like that, you just keep going.”
Cousins, who added 15 points and grabbed 20 rebounds for the Kings, didn’t repeat his claims after the game.
“I’m trying to stay low and just sticking to playing basketball,” Cousins told the AP. “I’m in enough trouble as it is.… It’s not a (personal) rivalry. We’re just playing ball. They’re a playoff team and we’re not, so it’s not much of a rivalry.”
Big nights by Griffin and teammate Chris Paul (19 points, 15 assists, seven steals, five rebounds) placed them on top of Saturday’s Studs and Duds for the NBA’s top performers.
STUDS
Los Angeles Clippers F Blake Griffin: Erupted for 27 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals and was plus-23 in the Clippers’ victory over Sacramento.
Los Angeles Clippers G Chris Paul: Filled the stat sheet for 19 points, 15 assists, seven steals, five rebounds and was plus-11 in the Clippers’ victory over Sacramento.
New Orleans F Jason Smith: Notched 26 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and was plus-4 in the Hornets’ triumph over Minnesota.
New Orleans C Chris Kaman: Went for 21 points on 9-for-10 shooting, 10 rebounds, four blocks, four assists and was plus-15 in the Hornets’ victory over Minnesota.
Orlando C Dwight Howard: Overcame a struggling 4-for-14 shooting effort to post 20 points, 22 rebounds, six assists and two blocks and was plus-15 in the Magic’s victory at Philadelphia. It was his ninth 20-20 game this season and 46th of his career, including the playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers F Pau Gasol: Went for 30 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in the Lakers’ loss at Phoenix.
DUDS
Philadelphia G Jrue Holliday: Went 2 of 9 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-13 in the Sixers’ loss to Orlando.
Denver F Jordan Hamilton: The rookie from Texas clanked all seven of his shots, had a turnover and was minus-8 in the Nuggets’ loss at Golden State.
Indiana G George Hill: The former Spur misfired on all six of his shots and was minus-7 in the Pacers’ loss at Boston.
Boston F Brandon Bass: Missed all six shots from the field, had a turnover and was minus-1 in the Celtics’ victory over Indiana.
Orlando G Jameer Nelson: Clanked through a 2-for-12 shooting effort with three turnovers in the Magic’s victory over Philadelphia.