Blake Griffin offered up a reminder for all those expecting an immediate transformation now that Chris Paul is part of the Los Angeles Clippers.Not every game is going to be just alley-oop left and right, Griffin said.Griffin, CP3 and Co. are far from a finished product. They certainly showed signs of the talented team this can be on both ends of the floor.Paul had 20 points and nine assists in his highly anticipated debut, Griffin added 22 points and seven rebounds and the Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 105-86 on Sunday night to spoil Mark Jacksons opener as a first-time coach.While we try to figure each other out and learn guys hot spots and stuff like that, we want to win at the same time, Paul said. We just keep talking about `Weve just got to find a way to win, regardless of how it looks, how ugly the game isMonta Ellis had 15 points and eight assists after his grandmothers death earlier in the day in Mississippi, and David Lee added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Warriors, who cut the Clippers lead to a point at 78-77 with 9:35 left on Brandon Rushs 3-pointer before Los Angeles pulled away.It was hardly a spectacular opener for Los Angeles, though coach Vinny Del Negro will take methodical any day. These new-look Clippers hope to shine as Los Angeles other NBA team, perhaps no longer the Lakers stepchild.We grinded it out defensively when we needed to, Del Negro said. We controlled the tempo in the fourth quarter. I just know we can play better.Paulwho nearly wound up with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers before the NBA nixed the tradeteamed with Chauncey Billups and Griffin for the first time since joining the Clippers in a Dec. 14 trade from New Orleans.Billups scored 21 points and hit a key 3-pointer late for Los Angeles, which plays at San Antonio on Wednesday night before returning for four in a row and seven of eight at Staples Centre.Paul had a quiet first half: seven points on 1-for-6 shooting in 19 minutes. But he came on with several clutch baskets in the waning minutes to finish 7 for 12.Just try to manage the game. Its not my first rodeo, its seven years, Paul said. This is the first year I think Ive had as many options as I do.Many fans among the sellout crowd of 19,596 at revamped Oracle Arena wore Warriors Santa hats, while the Clippers got into the holiday spirit with bright green socks to go with their bright red uniforms. Billups added matching green shoes to his game ensemble.Jackson, who hadnt coached at any level after a successful playing career, appreciated longtime friends Chris Mullin, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen handling the broadcast for the final opener on Christmas.
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