Griffin, Crawford, Paul lead L.A. past Phoenix, 103-77
Griffin, Crawford, Paul lead L.A. past Phoenix, 103-77
Clippers forward Blake Griffin dunks in two of his 23 points Sunday against Phoenix as L.A. extended its win streak. / Jennifer Stewart/USA TODAY
Detroit Free Press News Services
PHOENIX -- The Los Angeles Clippers are starting to make easy victories look routine.
Blake Griffin scored 23 points, Chris Paul had 17 points and 13 assists and the Clippers extended a franchise record with their 13th consecutive victory, 103-77, over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night.
Reserve Jamal Crawford added 22 points for the Clippers, who won in Phoenix for the first time since April 17, 2007. Los Angeles' overall win streak is an NBA season best and its six straight road victories are also a franchise best.
"We're just taking care of business right now," Griffin said. "To be honest, we're not really concerned with 'You haven't won here since then' or 'You haven't won this many games in a row.'
"We hear it all but we're about just getting these wins and if they come within a streak or when we haven't won somewhere, that's fine."
The Clippers have won by an average of 13 points and boast four victories of 20 or more points during their streak.
Jared Dudley scored 19 points, Luis Scola had 11 and Markieff Morris added 10 for the Suns, who have dropped two straight.
Suns coach Alvin Gentry was ejected with 2:33 left in the first half when he received a pair of technical fouls seconds apart. The teams combined for six technical in the game's first three quarters.
"They're playing show basketball with the alley-oops and the fancy passes," said Suns center Marcin Gortat, who had eight points and 12 rebounds but also four turnovers. "They can afford to turn the ball over a few times. Our team can't fall for that."
New York 94, Minnesota 91: Carmelo Anthony scored 19 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, rallying host New York. The Knicks trailed from the opening minutes until Anthony scored eight straight points down the stretch. He had scored just nine points on three of 11 shooting in the first half, but had the final 12 for the Knicks.
San Antonio 129, Dallas 91: Danny Green scored a career-high 25 points and the host Spurs spoiled Dirk Nowitzki's season debut. Tony Parker had 18 points, Kawhi Leonard added 17, Tim Duncan 15 and Stephen Jackson 14 for the Spurs, who were 20 of 30 from three-point range and led by as many as 46. After missing the Mavericks' first 27 regular-season games, Nowitzki entered with 6:28 left in the first quarter. Nowitzki, who underwent surgery on his right knee Oct. 19, finished with eight points -- going 3-for-4 from the field -- and six rebounds in 20 minutes.
Brooklyn 95, Philadelphia 92: Joe Johnson scored 22 points, and Gerald Wallace had 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the host Nets.
Deron Williams added 16 points to help Brooklyn end a six-game losing streak.
Utah 97, Orlando 93: Paul Millsap scored 18 points, Gordon Hayward added 17, and the visiting Jazz survived a fourth-quarter rally. Orlando cut the lead to one in the waning seconds, but came up empty at the foul line attempting to tie it. The Jazz played without point guard Mo Williams, who is out indefinitely with a thumb injury. Former Piston Arron Afflalo had 20 points, and Nik Vucevic added 16 points and 16 rebounds to lead Orlando, who has dropped back-to-back games since losing starting forward Glen Davis to a shoulder injury.
Sacramento 108, Portland 96: Marcus Thornton scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half to help the host Kings snap Portland's five-game winning streak. The Kings played without starting center DeMarcus Cousins, who was suspended indefinitely Saturday for unprofessional behavior and conduct detrimental to the team.
Blake Griffin scored 23 points, Chris Paul had 17 points and 13 assists and the Clippers extended a franchise record with their 13th consecutive victory, 103-77, over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night.
Reserve Jamal Crawford added 22 points for the Clippers, who won in Phoenix for the first time since April 17, 2007. Los Angeles' overall win streak is an NBA season best and its six straight road victories are also a franchise best.
"We're just taking care of business right now," Griffin said. "To be honest, we're not really concerned with 'You haven't won here since then' or 'You haven't won this many games in a row.'
"We hear it all but we're about just getting these wins and if they come within a streak or when we haven't won somewhere, that's fine."
The Clippers have won by an average of 13 points and boast four victories of 20 or more points during their streak.
Jared Dudley scored 19 points, Luis Scola had 11 and Markieff Morris added 10 for the Suns, who have dropped two straight.
Suns coach Alvin Gentry was ejected with 2:33 left in the first half when he received a pair of technical fouls seconds apart. The teams combined for six technical in the game's first three quarters.
"They're playing show basketball with the alley-oops and the fancy passes," said Suns center Marcin Gortat, who had eight points and 12 rebounds but also four turnovers. "They can afford to turn the ball over a few times. Our team can't fall for that."
New York 94, Minnesota 91: Carmelo Anthony scored 19 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, rallying host New York. The Knicks trailed from the opening minutes until Anthony scored eight straight points down the stretch. He had scored just nine points on three of 11 shooting in the first half, but had the final 12 for the Knicks.
San Antonio 129, Dallas 91: Danny Green scored a career-high 25 points and the host Spurs spoiled Dirk Nowitzki's season debut. Tony Parker had 18 points, Kawhi Leonard added 17, Tim Duncan 15 and Stephen Jackson 14 for the Spurs, who were 20 of 30 from three-point range and led by as many as 46. After missing the Mavericks' first 27 regular-season games, Nowitzki entered with 6:28 left in the first quarter. Nowitzki, who underwent surgery on his right knee Oct. 19, finished with eight points -- going 3-for-4 from the field -- and six rebounds in 20 minutes.
Brooklyn 95, Philadelphia 92: Joe Johnson scored 22 points, and Gerald Wallace had 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the host Nets.
Deron Williams added 16 points to help Brooklyn end a six-game losing streak.
Utah 97, Orlando 93: Paul Millsap scored 18 points, Gordon Hayward added 17, and the visiting Jazz survived a fourth-quarter rally. Orlando cut the lead to one in the waning seconds, but came up empty at the foul line attempting to tie it. The Jazz played without point guard Mo Williams, who is out indefinitely with a thumb injury. Former Piston Arron Afflalo had 20 points, and Nik Vucevic added 16 points and 16 rebounds to lead Orlando, who has dropped back-to-back games since losing starting forward Glen Davis to a shoulder injury.
Sacramento 108, Portland 96: Marcus Thornton scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half to help the host Kings snap Portland's five-game winning streak. The Kings played without starting center DeMarcus Cousins, who was suspended indefinitely Saturday for unprofessional behavior and conduct detrimental to the team.
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