CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Blake Griffin did in the Charlotte Hornets Saturday.
Griffin dunk-tapped an Austin Rivers miss with 44.7 seconds left, giving the Los Angeles Clippers a five-point lead in an eventual 107-102 victory over the Hornets at a sold-out Spectrum Center.
Griffin finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists on a night when the Clippers were without star point guard Chris Paul. The Clippers improved to 33-21 and conclude a long road trip Monday against the Utah Jazz.
The Hornets fell to 24-30. They play the last of four consecutive home games Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers. They are 1-2 so far on this home stand.
The Hornets got 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds from Nic Batum. Frank Kaminsky, starting at center, added 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
