The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 101-92 in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday.
It was in many ways a rematch of the Western Conference first-round playoffs last season.
The new super-sub, Jamal Crawford, in his first official game with his new franchise, scored 29 points in 30 minutes helping the Clippers convert 21 Grizzlies turnovers into 29 points.
Crawford signed with the Clippers as a free agent after averaging 14 points in 60 games with Portland in the previous season.
"It's like night and day from last year, honestly," Crawford said. "I haven't felt like this since I was with the Knicks, mentally. I feel like I've found a home.
"The last few years I've basically played on one-year contracts. And that's always tough. Some of the guys here called me and told me I was their number one option in free agency at the guard position. And when you feel wanted like that and see where the team is going and how you can fit it, it's very cool."
Chris Paul, the Clippers point guard, said that they were expecting a tough game. "We knew it was going to be hard fought and chippy," he told reporters. "When the schedule was released over the summer, I'm sure players on both teams were like, 'I'm sure this isn't a coincidence.'"
Paul emerged late in the game with six straight points to turn a one-point Clippers lead into a 93-88 advantage. Jamal Crawford then saw his team through in the last three minutes with a three pointer putting Los Angeles ahead 98-90.
Crawford said that it was a team effort. "It's a good start definitely but winning is a better start. When I'm scoring like that it's never just about me it's my team mates putting me in good positions."
Clippers' Blake Griffin and Grizzlies' Zach Randolph drew technical fouls in the fourth. Randolph, who finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds, said: "It's just one of those things after 48 minutes of pushing and shoving down low, it just gets to you after a while."
Lionel Hollins, head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, was pretty disappointed and said the Grizzlies failed to control Crawford and that cost them the match. "We had consistent defense, but you can't guard fast breaks and alley-oops. Jamal Crawford came off the bench and had an outstanding game for them, and we had no answer for him. They had 29 points on 21 turnovers, and that was huge for them."
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