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Clippers' Griffin returns to his roots in OKC

Feb 22, 2011 - 3:56 PM (Sports Network) - Fresh off competing in his first All-Star game and jumping over the hood of a Kia Optima to win the slam dunk contest this past weekend, Blake Griffin will get to play in his hometown tonight for the first time as a pro when the Los Angeles Clippers visit the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Griffin is returning to the area where he starred as a prep at Oklahoma Christian School before earning national player of the year honors at the University of Oklahoma.

The Clippers, never known for their strong play on the road, are one of only two teams that are unbeaten in OKC. Both LA and Boston are 3-0 at Oklahoma City since the Thunder moved from Seattle before the 2008-09 season.

The Clips are currently in the midst of a season-long 11-game road stretch and improved to 2-6 on the lengthy swing last Wednesday in Minneapolis, as Griffin recorded 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 98-90 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The game centered around Griffin and Minnesota's Kevin Love -- the NBA's top two double-double generators. Love tallied 18 points and 18 boards to secure his franchise-record 42nd consecutive double-double, and 51st of the season. Griffin has 46.

Randy Foye finished with 21 points and six assists for the Clippers, while Ryan Gomes chipped in 18 points.

Los Angeles, which holds a 21-35 record coming out of the All-Star break, also welcomed center Chris Kaman back in the fold in the Twin Cities. Kaman had not played since Dec. 5 because of an ankle injury, but returned to score four points in 9 1/2 minutes.

"I just wanted to come out, be patient, take my time," Kaman said. "I rushed a couple shots, but other than that I was pretty patient and was careful."

The Clippers' leading scorer, guard Eric Gordon, is expected to miss his 14th straight tonight game due to a broken wrist, however.

The Thunder, meanwhile, entered the break with a 126-96 rout of Sacramento last Tuesday. Daequan Cook scored 20 points and pulled down five rebounds off the bench in that one.

Kevin Durant, who had 34 points in Sunday's All-Star game, added 17 and seven boards in the triumph for the Thunder, who have won five in a row against the Kings and lead the Northwest Division by four games. Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic each chipped in 16 points.

"Our energy was unbelievable. I think the best all year," Durant said. "At the start of the game our defense was on point and our offense was on point. We just clicked on all cylinders tonight. It was a good win for us."

The Clips have taken two of their past three meetings with Oklahoma City, including a 107-92 win in LA back in November.