Five Stars: Clipped

Five Stars is a Hot Hot Hoops exclusive series that we’re doing throughout the 2016-17 season, detailing every Miami Heat game. Using the advanced box score (derived from the simple box score at www.nba.com), we run down each participant in every game. The top five GameScores are the Five Stars of the night, no matter whether they play for the Heat or their opponents, in this case the Los Angeles Clippers. This game is for Miami’s 102-98 loss to the Clippers on Friday night. All game quotes are from nba.com’s official recap.

First Star

Goran Dragic (MIA) 22.7

Dragic played a game-high 39 minutes and made seven-of-16 shots from the floor. He missed all three of his three-pointers while draining all seven free throws to finish with 21 points for the night. He earned a double-double with 11 assists, adding six rebounds and two steals to finish the night at minus-3 and a 21.0 approximate PER in his 12th trip into the Five Stars.

We lost this game in the first half. - Dragic

Second Star

DeAndre Jordan (LAC) 16.5

Jordan only scored a dozen points, making five-of-seven from the field and two-of-three from the line, but he pulled down a game-high 19 boards, with three blocks in 35 minutes. He had a minus-4 rating and clocked in with an approximate PER of 17.0.

I just wanted to come out here and get a win. - Jordan

Third Star

Blake Griffin (LAC) 13.9

Griffin played a team-high 38 minutes and scored a team-best 20 points on nine-of-15 shooting. He was two-of-two from the stripe and collected eight boards off the glass, with four assists, a steal, a minus-1 rating, and an estimate PER of 13.2.

Fourth Star

Chris Paul (LAC) 11.6

Paul floor-generaled his way to 17 points with six assists and five rebounds in 34 minutes. He earned a plus-1 rating, shooting six-for-15 overall and one-of-four from deep. He drained four-of-six from the charity stripe, with a 12.3 estimated PER.

That’s what he does, rebound, get buckets, make shots. - Paul, on DeAndre Jordan

Fifth Star

Hassan Whiteside (MIA) 10.4

Whiteside earned a 12.5 estimate PER in 30 minutes, with 11 points and 17 rebounds. It was his 20th time in the Five Stars. He made five-of-12 overall and one-of-five from the line, adding two helpers, two steals, and one block to finish with a team-high plus-4 rating.

A terrific second half against a team that’s obviously a championship-caliber team, but you half to play 48 minutes. - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra

Nightly Notable

Wayne Ellington (MIA) 9.7

Ellington sunk six-of-nine shots in 22 minutes for the Heat, posting an approximate 15.9 PER.

Friday’s Worst

Luke Babbitt (MIA) -1.6

Babbitt continues to give credit to those who questioned his acquisition with another dud. In seven minutes, he committed two fouls and missed two three-pointers, finishing with no points, two rebounds (thanks Jay Man), no assists, no steals, no blocks, and a minus-5 rating.

Five Star Standings

Hassan Whiteside 133
Goran Dragic 77
Tyler Johnson 58
Dion Waiters 34
James Johnson 29
Josh Richardson 11
Wayne Ellington 9
Justise Winslow 6
Willie Reed 5
Rodney McGruder 3
Derrick Williams 3
Josh McRoberts 1