Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups shine in LA Clippers debut
Chris Paul sparked the Clippers' win over the Lakers. AP Photo
LOS ANGELES—New acquisitions Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups provided sterling numbers in their Los Angeles debuts as the Clippers crushed the Lakers, 114-95, in a preseason game Monday night.
In New York, the Knicks made a key addition to their roster by signing veteran free agent Baron Davis. Davis will help the Knicks plug a hole created when they waived Billups to make space to sign center Tyson Chandler.
In Washington, the Wizards signed Nick Young to a one-year extension after initially hoping to come into terms with the shooting guard on a longer deal.
Paul submitted 17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in his Clippers debut, while Billups added 23 points in the victory over Lakers.
The Clippers acquired Paul from New Orleans right after the league squashed a proposed three-way deal that would have sent him to the Lakers.
Paul and Billups are just two of three key acquisitions by the Clippers who are looking to surround sophomore Blake Griffin with enough talent to be competitive.
Griffin had 12 points for the Clippers in a foul-plagued 25 minutes. Last season’s rookie of the year picked up his third foul with 5:44 left in the second quarter, then received a technical foul about two minutes later for hanging on the rim too long after converting Billups’ pass to him off the glass into a fast-break slam dunk.
Paul and Billups sat out the fourth quarter. Mo Williams, beginning his first full season with the Clippers after joining them in last season at the trading deadline for Davis, had nine points in 22 minutes on his 29th birthday.
Billups had 12 points as the Clippers led 55-50 at halftime.
The Knicks did not announce terms of the Davis signing but according to local media, the 32-year-old Davis agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million.
A two-time All-Star, Davis split last season between the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers averaging 13.1 points and 6.7 assists over 58 games.
The Wizards, meanwhile, signed Young to a one-year deal for $3.7 million according to local media reports.
