Video: Clippers' Blake Griffin hits circus shot, nails landing vs. Warriors
Blake Griffin nailed a crazy circus shot during the final minute of the Clippers' 126-121 home victory over the Warriors in Game 7 on Saturday, only to finish the highlight play by flipping backwards so that he landed on his feet.
With the Clippers leading 114-111 and hoping to put the game away, Griffin received the ball near the free-throw line with Draymond Green guarding him. Griffin faked a hand-off to Chris Paul before bursting to his left, turning the corner on Green as he approached the protected circle.
Shortly after elevating, Griffin's momentum carried him into Harrison Barnes, who was attempting to provide help defense from the right block. The contact knocked Griffin off balance and he had no choice but to flip up a no-look scoop layup over his own head as he drew the whistle. The shot managed to catch the front rim and roll in, prompting celebrations from Griffin's teammates and the Staples Center crowd.
Finally, Griffin completed the ninja-like sequence by landing on his back, doing a backwards somersault and launching himself to a two-footed landing on the baseline.
The Clippers were able to hold to win their first-round series 4-3 against the Warriors. L.A. will now face Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals with Game 1 set for the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Monday.
Griffin finished with a team-high 24 points (on 10-for-18 shooting), six assists, five rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Paul added 22 points (on 8-for-15 shooting), 14 assists and four steals for the Clippers, while Jamal Crawford added 22 points (on 7-for-12 shooting) off the bench.
