Nov. 08--After trailing by as many as 14 points, the Clippers came back to beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 106-102, Saturday at Staples Center.
The Clippers took their first lead of the game, 74-71, after Jamal Crawford made a three-pointer with 4 minutes, 40 seconds left in the third quarter. Crawford made three three-pointers in a row over a 2-1/2-minute stretch in the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Clippers took a nine-point lead. But back-to-back baskets by Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard with 1:10 left in the quarter cut the Clippers' lead to two, 102-100.
All-Star point guard Chris Paul made a pair of free throws to give the Clippers a 104-100 lead with 38.5 seconds left. Lillard responded by making a layup to reduce the Clippers' lead to 104-102. Crawford then made two free throws in the final seven seconds to seal the win for the Clippers.
The win was a real team effort by all of the starters.
Guard J.J. Redick led the Clippers with 30 points on 11-for-13 shooting, including making two of his three three-point attempts. All-Star power forward Blake Griffin, who played 36 minutes despite having flu-like symptoms, finished with 23 points and six rebounds. Paul had 22 points and 11 assists.
Crawford, who started at small forward instead of Matt Barnes, added 20 points, including three-for-five shooting from behind the three-point line. Center DeAndre Jordan had a game-high 14 rebounds.
The Clippers outshot the Trail Blazers, 49.4% to 45%. But, of course, they were outrebounded, 43-37. The Clippers have the worst rebounding average of all of the 30 NBA teams.
The Clippers, who finished with only seven turnovers, forced the Trail Blazers to commit 16 turnovers.
Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
