Jamal Crawford has said that the Los Angeles Clippers were defensively strong during their 89-81 pre-season win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The guard did not score in the victory, having started on the bench.

The 33-year-old told the team's official website: "I thought we were really good defensively, even though they scored 81. They would have got less than that. I remember playing against those old Boston teams and everybody hated playing against them. It was almost like you were playing against a zone all the time.

"We weren't necessarily there last night, but I saw the potential for us to get there. We have athletes and guys who can cover ground and cover for each other and as the trust goes on and the more games we'll play I think we'll get better at it.

"I'm trying to make other people better. I don't want to feel out of place by just going outside of the system. There were a bunch of times I could have easily gone one-on-one or whatever, but I was would feel out place if I did that."

The Clippers play the Utah Jazz on Saturday.