Blake Griffin, Chris Paul propel Clippers past Blazers in opener, 114-106: Doc Rivers remembered what it felt like to last be inside the Moda Center. He remembered the hurt after watching the Portland Trail Blazers beat his Clippers for the fourth straight game. He remembered the tears shed inside the locker room, the blood literally left on the court, and the opportunity to advance and maybe win a title vanishing. How could he not? But when Rivers walked back into the Moda Center for the Clippers’ season opener Thursday night, he knew he had players who weren’t in the building the night last season ended. -- The Orange County Register

Marreese Speights gives Clippers' rebuilt bench another versatile scoring threat: While things in the team’s first five aren’t different this year – save for a healthy Blake Griffin – the second unit definitely could look different. The Clippers re-signed Jamal Crawford, Austin Rivers and Wesley Johnson this summer, giving the unit some continuity. But newcomers Raymond Felton, Alan Anderson, Brandon Bass, and perhaps most importantly, Marreese Speights, could give the bench new dimensions and new weapons for Doc Rivers to play with. Speights, who the Clippers signed from Golden State this offseason, could be the most interesting offensive piece the Clippers bench has had since the team brought in Crawford five summers ago. -- The Orange County Register

Chris Paul, Clippers rocking a new attitude for a new season: The last time Chris Paul left the Moda Center, his right arm was in a sling, his hand in a cast. He was flanked by his family – his closest confidantes. His season was done. His team, essentially was done. And another shot at his first ring, well that was done too. That night, he arrived home in Los Angeles and woke up his wife, Jada. She sat and listened to Paul unload everything, the worries, the disappointment, the frustration. -- The Orange County Register

Clippers begin season with 114-106 road win over Trail Blazers: The Clippers’ 82-game NBA journey began in the very same city where their championship dreams were crushed last season. They were done in by injuries to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and a Portland Trail Blazers team ready to inflict more playoff pain on the Clippers. But the Clippers were whole and up to the task for all of the physical activity in their regular-season debut Thursday night at the Moda Center, having a healthy Paul and Griffin dogged in their pursuit of leading Los Angeles to a 114-106 win over Portland. -- Los Angeles Times

A more mature DeAndre Jordan emerges for Clippers: His growth as a player didn’t just stop when Clippers center DeAndre Jordan became a first-team All-NBA player and a first-team All-Defensive player following the 2015-16 season. Jordan was on the USA Basketball team that won the gold medal in the Rio Olympics, and from that experience, Clippers Coach Doc Rivers has seen a more mature player. -- Los Angeles Times

Trail Blazers come up short against Clippers: In an era of fading NBA rivalries, the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers are keeping the hate alive. There was pushing and shoving, flagrants and technicals and plenty of heated words exchanged both ways. When the buzzer sounded at the end of the latest edition of this increasingly testy rivalry the Clippers prevailed 114-106 Thursday night at the Moda Center. -- The Oregonian

Terry Stotts won't comment on officiating vs. LA Clippers: The Portland Trail Blazers fell 114-106 to the LA Clippers in their first loss of the 2016-17 season at the Moda Center on Thursday. Damian Lillard led Portland with 29 points and 10 rebounds while Moe Harkless added 23 points and eight rebounds for the Blazers (1-1). -- The Oregonian

Loss to chippy Clippers leaves Blazers in foul mood: If there were any question after last season’s playoffs that the Trail Blazers’ most bitter rival is the Los Angeles Clippers, it’s official now. Things picked up where they left off between the clubs Thursday night at Moda Center, and the result was an unhappy one for those on the Portland side. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul — sidelined with injuries by the end of the Blazers’ six-game elimination of the Clippers — played the lead roles in a 114-106 victory that left the Blazers frustrated for a number of reasons. -- Portland Tribune

Clippers get revenge as Paul and Griffin lead win: It was intense, emotional and hotly contested, and in the end, it was a measure of revenge for the LA Clippers. Behind Blake Griffin's 27 points and 13 rebounds and another masterful court performance from Chris Paul (27 points, 5 assists), the Clippers beat the Blazers 114-106 on Thursday in a rematch of last season's first round playoff series. The two Clippers stars were injured and missed the final two games of the playoff series last season, when Portland won four straight to clinch the series in six games. -- CSNNW.com