Blazers have sloppy preseason opener

The Trail Blazers’ sloppiness on the offensive end was exploited by the veteran Clippers, led by Chris Paul and Jordan. The Clippers scored 14 points in the first half off Trail Blazer turnovers. Paul finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

The Trail Blazers were without LaMarcus Aldridge (quad), Mo Williams (ankle) and Earl Watson (left calf) who all sat out for precautionary reasons.

Dorell Wright, who dislocated his right finger last week in practice, also sat. But Stotts said before the game that it was to give him a night of rest.

Thomas Robinson started alongside the other four projected starters for this year in Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum and Robin Lopez.

The Clippers showed Monday — even in the preseason — why they are regarded as Western Conference contenders.

Led by Paul, the Clippers demonstrated their commitment to the defensive end early and set the tone for the night.

“We’ll look at the film and learn from it,” Stotts said.

CLIPPERS 89, TRAIL BLAZERS 81

L.A. CLIPPERS (89) — Dudley 1-4 0-0 2, Griffin 5-13 4-4 14, Jordan 6-9 4-5 16, Paul 3-7 9-10 15, W.Green 5-8 3-4 14, Crawford 0-4 0-0 0, Mullens 2-10 0-0 5, Collison 2-7 1-3 5, Jamison 3-5 0-0 7, Hollins 2-2 1-1 5, Wayns 0-4 4-4 4, Amundson 0-3 0-0 0, Farrakhan 0-2 0-0 0, Davies 1-2 0-0 2, J.Green 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 30-81 26-31 89.

PORTLAND (81) — Batum 4-8 2-2 12, Robinson 1-5 3-4 5, Lopez 3-9 2-4 8, Lillard 3-10 5-5 11, Matthews 2-10 2-2 6, Bost 3-8 0-0 7, Freeland 2-6 0-0 4, Leonard 3-7 4-5 10, Crabbe 2-7 1-2 6, Claver 2-3 0-2 5, Barton 3-5 1-1 7. Totals 28-78 20-27 81.

L.A. Clippers 20 35 20 14–89

Portland 16 26 22 17–81

3-Point Goals–L.A. Clippers 3-16 (Jamison 1-1, W.Green 1-3, Mullens 1-7, Collison 0-1, Dudley 0-1, Wayns 0-1, Crawford 0-1, Paul 0-1), Portland 5-24 (Batum 2-3, Claver 1-2, Bost 1-4, Crabbe 1-4, Leonard 0-1, Barton 0-1, Matthews 0-4, Lillard 0-5). Fouled Out–None. Rebounds–L.A. Clippers 53 (Paul, Jordan 8), Portland 60 (Lopez 10). Assists–L.A. Clippers 24 (Paul 5), Portland 14 (Lillard 6). Total Fouls–L.A. Clippers 25, Portland 27. Technicals–Portland defensive three second. A–12,849 (19,980).