Clippers hang on to beat the Raptors, 123–115, to claim 13th win
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul each had 26 points in the Los Angeles Clippers (13–2) eight point victory over the Toronto Raptors (8–6). Paul added 12 assists while Griffin threw in seven more, while bringing in seven additional rebounds.
Each of the other three starters finished the night in double figures, while DeAndre Jordan got the team’s third double-double as he brought down 15 rebounds. The bench, was once again, efficient with Jamal Crawford leading the way finishing with 12 points on the night.
Los Angeles got out to an early lead against Toronto, who played the Sacramento Kings last night in the states’ capital. JJ Redick stepped just inside the three point arc to open the scoring, before the Clippers eventually opened up an early five point edge. DeMar DeRozen gave the Raptors their first lead of the night. DeRozen finished two points behind Kyle Lowry, who scored 27 he drained 11–21 shots, all from in behind the three point line.
Jamal Crawford ended the quarter with a bang by hitting a buzzer-beating three point shot to give the Clippers 23–19 lead.
It took a little under a minute and a half for the first points of the second quarter to be scored after Cory Joseph finished off a tip shot. Toronto were beginning to get back into the game, but Austin Rivers drove the lane and completed a layup to give his side a little more breathing room again. The Clippers though, maintained their advantage throughout the second quarter. Every time the Raptors tried to tie up the score, Los Angeles answered right back. And in actuality, the Clippers lead grew to nine points at the end of the half after Redick made all three shots from the charity strike.
After the teams came out of the locker rooms, much of the same resumed. Chris Paul scored four straight points to give the Clippers a commanding 12 point lead. But then, Patrick Patterson sunk a deep shot to get within single digits once more. The Raptors in the third, got as close as six points after Lowry drained one of his eight three-point shots from deep to make it 68–62 in favor of the Clippers. But the Clippers also extended their lead to as much as 16 when Jordan hit two free throws.
Toronto scored seven of the opening 10 points in the fourth quarter, trim Los Angeles’ advantage to five. Following some confusion during substitutions, the Raptors were awarded a technical free throw, which Lowry made, to make it 97–93 Clippers. However, for the Raptors, they would get no closer to their opposition as the Clippers managed to stay ahead.
The Clippers, with the NBA’s best record, will hit the road for their first lengthy trip away from the Staples Center this season. Their first game of six away from home will begin this Wednesday night when they take on the Dallas Mavericks.
