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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." Tim Tebow Jersey . The fourth-year guard from Carleton University kicked off his varsity career with rookie of the year honours in 2011, before racking up three straight Mike Moser Memorial Trophies for outstanding player. Mookie Wilson Jersey . Messier, who had been a special assistant to Rangers general manager Glen Sather, announced Thursday in a statement that he is resigning in order to "expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. http://www.metsbaseballauthentic.com/.com) - The Oakland Athletics needed to rely on a lot of young pitchers to win an American League West title this season. Zack Wheeler Jersey . The 22-year-old Spanish midfielder recently signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea, and after spending last season on loan with Valencia in La Liga, Romeu will move to the Bundesliga for the 2014-15 campaign. Carlos Gomez Mets Jersey .Y. - The NFL has fined Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch $20,000 for making an obscene gesture during last Sundays NFC championship game, a person with knowledge of the fine told The Associated Press on Thursday.UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Martin Brodeur returned to the New York metropolitan area for yet another triumph.Not to New Jersey, but dressed in one.The longtime Devils goalie is back in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues after spending more than two decades wearing New Jerseys red and black.He was scheduled for a day off Saturday, two days after making his first appearance with the Blues, but a rough first period for starting goalie Jake Allen forced the 42-year-old Brodeur into action after 20 minutes.When it was over, Brodeur earned his first win with St. Louis — a come-from-behind, 6-4 victory over the New York Islanders.I didnt come back not to win, Brodeur said after stopping 14 of 15 shots. Thats what I like to do. This is what Ive driven my career about. Its all about winning.Allen got the nod despite Brodeur already owning a career-best 51 wins against the then-rival Islanders while he was with the Devils, Brodeur watched the opening period of this matinee from the backup goalies seat in the tunnel.Brodeur was his usual affable self. He held court in front of recognizable reporters who covered him during his years with the Devils.Familiar faces. I like it, he said.There were some mixed into the crowd, as well, as his wife and two children were in attendance. They will accompany him back to St. Louis.His place with the Blues is somewhat tenuous. Although he signed a one-year deal this week, he knows he is there out of necessity following a knee injury to top goalie Brian Elliott in a game against Ottawa on Nov. 25.Elliott skated this week, but coach Ken Hitchcock said he isnt close to returning to action.I am coming here to help these guys, not to be the guy that is going to carry them, Brodeur said. Who knows whats going to happen in the future?Brodeur was brought in by the Blues the day after Elliotts injury on a practice agreement, and six days later he signed his first NHL contract that didnt say New Jersey Devils on top.Its definitely a change, Brodeur said. Not just playing hockey, but being part of a different organization. Thats what kind of makes you feel a little younger and kind of excited about everything.And now wearing the sweater with the familiar blue note on it?That was weird. I cant hide it, he said. Its something that for 20 years I did the same thing over and over. Now that was a change ... but I got used to it now and Im really excited to be here.Brodeur added his first new positive stat to his resume on Saturday. He came out of his first game with the Blues feeling OK, despite a 4-3 loss at the Nashville Predators in which he made 20 saves on Thursday.He looked more than adequate, to be honest with you, Hitchcock said.Brodeur is in good shape, feels good, and more importantly believes he has a lot left to offer this team, or another, both on and off the ice.His time in New Jersey just ran out.But before it did, Brodeur won the Vezina Trophy as the NHLs top goalie four times — most recently in 2008 — and was a three-time Stanley Cup champion. Last season he was 19-14-6 with a 2.51 goals-against average, .901 save percentage and three shutouts in 39 games, but wasnt re-signed.He is the NHL leader in wins (689) and shutouts (124), and has even posted more victories than the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise.Im OK. I was OK, Brodeur said. Its just that somebody deccided I was too old somewhere along the way.dddddddddddd I didnt feel like that. I am happy to be back and having another chance to play and play for a really good team.Brodeur has no hard feelings toward Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello or anyone else within the New Jersey organization. He talked to his longtime boss before his tryout with the Blues and before he inked his deal.He was really happy, Brodeur said of Lamoriello, who could have a job for him once Brodeurs playing days are finally over. Our relationship is something that I care about, and his input is really important. Hes really excited about this opportunity for me and see where that is going to bring me.I heard from most of the players. Everybody knew that I still have something left and that I wanted to play, so they were all excited.While the Islanders are excelling and filling Nassau Coliseum on a regular basis in their final season at their longtime home before relocating to Brooklyn, the prospect of another visit from Brodeur helped them sell at least a few more tickets.He is going to go down as one of the greats, and he still looks pretty darn good in the net, as well, Blues defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk said.Devils jerseys and T-shirts with the name Brodeur on the back were scattered around the arena, and Brodeur noticed them during pregame warmups. He was quick to flash a smile and a greeting as he made his way around the ice.They made the trip here and wear my jersey, so they must still like me, he said. We have some Devils fans that are still on my side, I guess.Two of those came from New Jersey, and were heading back there to see their beloved Devils play at home Saturday night.I bought (tickets) right before he signed, said Stacy Hagan, from Totowa. I have been a Devils fan my whole life.We got to see him behind the goal one more time. We got a wave. There were a bunch of us down there, so it was kind of cool.While she sported a white Devils jersey, her friend Victor Tafro wore the red version. Both were glad they came, but were disappointed that Allen got the start over Brodeur.I hope he does well, Tafro said. I feel bad that we didnt give him a chance on our team.But all was not lost for those who came out on a rainy Saturday for another glimpse at the future Hall of Famer. After Allen allowed three goals on 12 shots in the first period, Brodeur started the second down 3-0.St. Louis tied it 3-3 in the second, but John Tavares pushed New York back in front heading into the third. That drew sing-song chants of Mar-ty, Mar-ty from the re-energized Islanders faithful.A three-goal third period provided the Blues their winning margin.We have no opposition to using him at any time, Hitchcock said before the game. We think we can win with him. We think he helps us win. Were in the winning business.After the Islanders took a 1-0 lead, many in the crowd began chanting We Want Marty! Shortly after the lead grew to three, they got their wish.They scored again, and I said I guess theyre going to get me, Brodeur said.Islanders coach Jack Capuano seemed content before the game to have Brodeur stay on the bench.Weve seen enough of him over the years, Capuano said. Its like having another defenceman back there.Its a good hockey club over there. I am sure he will fit right in. ' ' '