It is likely that the Washington Wizards are going to want to forget about the 2015-2016 season once it is all said and done. They will probably have no draft picks and miss the playoffs for the first time since 2013. In Blake Griffin’s first game since Christmas Day, following a quad tear, broken hand, and four-game team suspension, it was the backcourts that defined the game. Washington’s House of Guards were a combined 7 of 28 from the field for just 23 points, while the Clippers guard combination of Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, and Jamal Crawford dropped 64 points on 23 of 44 shooting. The Wizards hung around for much of the game but eventually lost 114-109.
The pick and roll defense was horrendous for Washington to start the game as the Clippers made their first four shots. Behind a 4 of 4 start from the field from Redick, Los Angeles took a commanding 21-8 lead. John Wall exited the game just over four minutes into the game with two personal fouls before picking up a technical on the bench. Randy Wittman was close to getting a technical foul before Markieff Morris actually did as the Wizards were frustrated by officiating frm young referees. Paul finished the quarter with 9 points and 5 assists as the Clippers led 33-23 after one quarter.