* Tonight on ESPN: Clippers vs. Pistons (7 ET)
Think of a great NBA moment in Blake Griffin’s career and it happened in a LA Clippers uniform. From his Rookie of the Year performance and Slam Dunk Contest win in 2011 to his All-Star appearances to making the All-NBA second team (’12, ’13, ’14) and third team (’15), it all happened when Griffin was in the Western Conference.
Those days are over for him, though, after his trade to the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 30. So far for Griffin, it has been smooth sailing — Detroit is undefeated since he joined the team (5-0) and is creeping into the East playoff chase. As he and his new teammates host the Clippers tonight, Griffin says there won’t be a lot of handshakes and smiles for his old squad, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:
Blake Griffin will see many familiar faces Friday night when the Los Angeles Clippers visit Little Caesars Arena.
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But Griffin says it won’t be time for pleasantries.
With both teams fighting for their playoff lives, Griffin expects a physical hard-fought game when the Clippers face his new team.
“I know those guys really well so I can’t say it’s just another game,” Griffin said after the Detroit Pistons’ 115-106 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
“It’s a game where I really know that team, but we’re trying to get wins, they’re trying to get wins. I’m not the guy to be all buddy-buddy during games. It’s going to be a war.”
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