Tip Of The Day!

Orlando Magic - Philadelphia 76ers - Over 187.5 pts (1.8)
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Blake Griffin puts on a show at The Palace

AUBURN HILLS -- Sometimes you attend a game just so you can get a first-hand look at a special player on the opposition.

Blake Griffin is one of those players.

Friday night marked Griffin's first trip to the Palace, and it's the only time he'll be in town this season. He didn't need a second game to make a big impression.

Griffin finished the evening with 24 points (11-17 from the floor) and 17 rebounds in the Los Angeles Clippers 109-88 win. 

To put that into perspective, the Detroit Pistons' starting five finished with 29 and 15.

The second-year rookie (Griffin missed all of last season with an injury) also gave ESPN plenty of footage for the highlight reel. There were the seven thunderous dunks, many where you thought he might just shatter the backboard, but his most memorable play was a layup.

Griffin caught the ball along the baseline, and as he almost always does, drove hard to the rim. As he took off from the floor, he did a complete 360-degree spin in the air, drew the foul, and managed to lay it in with a gentle finger roll.

Needless to say, there was an audible sense of awe from the Palace crowd.

The Pistons tried to be physical with Griffin early, knocking him around with a couple hard fouls, including a two-handed Charlie Villanueva shove. But the tactic seemed to motivate far more than intimidate.

Griffin definitely has some weaknesses to his game. He is a poor foul shooter, his mid-range game is still lacking, and he doesn't seem to understand there's a time to slow it down. But it's hard to argue there is a more exciting player in the game right now.

If you only go to one Pistons home game next season, come and see the Clippers at the Palace. Griffin is worth the price of admission.