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OAKLAND, Calif. -- Blake Griffin buried bank shots, turnaround jumpers and spinning layups. DeAndre Jordan gobbled up rebounds and opposing shots, often flexing his muscles and letting out a roar. The high-flying finishers who spawned the nickname "Lob City" are doing far more than dunking in the playoffs. The frontcourt tandem has carried the Clippers to a 2-1 lead in their first-round series against the Golden State Warriors, who have found no answer for either with centre Andrew Bogut out with a fractured right rib. "Just two animals out there just beastin right now," Clippers guard Darren Collison said. And both are finally performing in places they havent always flourished -- on defence, in the playoffs and at the most pivotal points of games. Since losing Game 1 in Los Angeles, Griffin has dominated David Lee and every other defender the Warriors have thrown his way. And Jordan -- who tied a franchise playoff record with 22 rebounds and five blocks in the Clippers 98-96 win in Game 3 on Thursday night -- has been the kind of rim protector coach Doc Rivers had long believed he could become. The two big men, both just 25 years old, have caused so much disruption that Warriors coach Mark Jackson said Friday hes considering changing his starting lineup for Game 4 on Sunday. The most likely swap would insert Draymond Green at power forward and push Lee to centre for Jermaine ONeal in a smaller, quicker lineup. "Weve got to figure out a way to present some resistance. I think things are going a little too smoothly for Blake," Jackson said during a light shootaround at Golden States downtown Oakland headquarters. Griffin has scored 32 and 35 points the past two games, respectively. Hes shooting 64 per cent from the floor in the series and has been at his best in the biggest spots. The All-Star power forward made five straight baskets -- three bank shots, a mid-range jumper and a short turnaround -- against Lee to open the third quarter in Game 3, part of a run that put the Clippers ahead by 18 points. "Just continuing to believe," Griffin said, speaking to reporters at the teams downtown San Francisco hotel Friday. "My teammates give me the confidence to go out there and shoot every time Im open." Lee promised hed be better against Griffin in Game 4. He has mostly been tasked with guarding Griffin by himself, though Jackson hinted more double-teams might be on the horizon. "Hes playing at a high level right now," Jackson said. "We forced him to be a jump shooter, and hes making jump shots. On the block, hes aggressive. Hes having an outstanding series capping off an outstanding year." While Griffins star has shined brightest, Jordan has been the insult-to-injury figure. The Warriors tried to lure Jordan away from Los Angeles in the summer of 2011, signing him to a four-year, $43 million offer sheet as a restricted free agent. Instead, the Clippers matched the deal. Now the Warriors -- who waived Jeremy Lin and amnestied Charlie Bell to make room for the offer -- can only watch Jordan make a major difference on defence while Bogut -- acquired in a trade with Milwaukee in March 2012 to be Golden States franchise centre -- sits out with another injury. Three years ago, though, Jordans game was not nearly what it is now. Jordan fell out of favour at times under former coach Vinny Del Negro, who was let go after the Clippers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of last years playoffs. Jordans rising game speaks to the Clippers commitment on defence under Rivers, who challenged the young centre to focus on rebounding and protecting the rim this season. Jordan finished third in voting for the NBAs defensive player of the year award behind winner Joakim Noah of Chicago and runner-up Roy Hibbert of Indiana. "These guys really rely on me a lot defensively, and when Im out there, they have all the confidence in the world in me," Jordan said. "So its definitely a huge step for me in my career, but at the same time, its always something to build on and its more motivation for me. As long as Im my teams defensive MVP, thats all that matters to me." Joe Carter Jersey . Smith, an eighth overall pick, had two goals in only 276 minutes of playing time over 16 appearances last season. The left side midfielder played only 43 minutes in three games this season. Manny Ramirez Jersey .Inter Milan and Napoli also advanced to ensure there will be at least three Italian clubs in the last 32 of Europes secondary competition.Spurs victory, secured by Benjamin Stamboulis 49th-minute winner, was overshadowed by a succession of pitch invasions that forced the referee to halt the game after 41 minutes. http://www.indianssale.com/indians-jason-kipnis-jersey/ . A strong fastball. A big, bending curveball that can buckle hitters at the knees. Against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, Elias put the entire package together against one of the leagues strongest lineups. Corey Kluber Jersey . Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stood tall with 41 saves between the pipes, but it was defenceman Ryan McDonagh who got the first star of the game as he had a goal and an assist and now has two goals and four assists for six points in two games. Francisco Lindor Jersey . While plenty of statistics illustrate Torontos turnaround in the second year of manager Ryan Nelsens tenure, stopping goals is not one of them.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - The weight of the wait is finally lifted from Brock Osweilers shoulders.Peyton Mannings third-year apprentice finally found the end zone in the Broncos season finale, throwing a 1-yard dart to tight end Virgil Green to cap Denvers 47-14 rout of the Raiders.It was very exciting. Im glad we got it out of the way, and hopefully there are a lot more to come, Osweiler said of his first career touchdown throw.Its just such an exciting moment. I know it was Virgils first touchdown as well, and hes put so much work into this organization and into his career, Osweiler said. The same goes for me, so to go out there and have a little fun at the end of the game really put a cap on the season.The TD also was sweet vindication for Osweiler, who had a poor performance two weeks earlier at San Diego in relief of a flu-ridden Manning.After Manning trotted into the tunnel for treatment on a strained thigh he blamed on dehydration, Osweiler went in with 87 seconds left in the first half and promptly fluttered a pass that was nearly picked off, then committed intentional grounding on his second snap.The Chargers got the ball back with just under a minute left and drove for a field goal that trimmed Denvers lead to six points at the half. Osweiler was warming up for the second half when Manning made what coach John Fox called a cavalry entrance and played the rest of the way in Denvers 22-10 win.Osweiler entered his last game under very different circumstances.The Broncos were up 40-14 when he trotted out with 4:20 remaining. On third-and-10 from the Oakland 44, Osweiler hit Green with a deep pass over the middle.I was rooting for him to score, Osweiler said. As soon as I threw it, I was like, Go! Go! Go! Go!Charles Woodson, however, dragged down Green at the 6.I was so disappointed. I thought Id let a huge opportunity slip away, Green said Tuesday.On third-and-goal from the 1, offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase called for a pass play and the Osweiler-to-Green score was both meaningless and signifficant.ddddddddddddt was kind of the monkey off my back, Osweiler said.Manning was thrilled for his backups breakthrough.It was his kind of call on that touchdown, Osweiler said. We were all trying to get Virgil a score, and we were all talking on the sideline. He (Manning) thought up the concept to get him in the end zone, so he was happy for the both of us.Green, a fourth-year tight end, kept the ball for his mantle.Thats OK with me, Osweiler said. He waited longer for it, so thats all his.Besides, Osweiler now heads into the playoffs feeling both a sense of accomplishment and relief, two things that could come in handy if he has to take any significant snaps in the post-season.Its huge, Osweiler said. It finally got the bad taste out of my mouth.Osweiler finished 2-for-2 for 39 yards and a perfect 158.3 passer rating — something Manning has accomplished three times in his 17-year NFL career, the last one coming on Jan. 4, 2004, against Denver in the playoffs.Yeah, you know I only had two pass attempts, so I wont ride that too much, but Ill take it for now, Osweiler said. And its something to build upon.Osweiler said he trusts that if he has to spell Manning in the post-season the Broncos wont have to pump the brakes on their offence, although they might tailor some things to his skill set.Obviously, he has 17 years experience and I havent even started a single game. But once again, Im very confident in my abilities, Osweiler said. I study, I prepare just like Im a starter every week. So, I cant say that there wouldnt be a fall-off, but I can promise you Im going to do everything in my power to make sure there isnt.Notes: Manning took the day off Tuesday along with WRs Demaryius Thomas (finger), Emmanuel Sanders (back) and Wes Welker. Also out: LG Orlando Franklin (head), S David Bruton Jr. (head, neck) and RB Juwan Thompson (hip, knee). ... 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