Clippers 103, Lakers 81
LOS ANGELES -- Chris Paul scored 25 points and handed out eight assists in three quarters, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers for the 10th consecutive time in a 103-81 rout Tuesday night at Staples Center.
Paul converted 10 of 14 shots from the floor as the Clippers (49-28) captured their sixth win in seven games. Clippers forward Jeff Green delivered 21 points off the bench. None of the team's starters played in the fourth quarter, and all 13 Clippers scored.
Metta World Peace led the Lakers with 17 points, while D'Angelo Russell and Ryan Kelly added 12 apiece. Kobe Bryant scored six points, missing 10 of the 12 shots he took in 22 minutes.
The Lakers (16-61) tied their franchise mark for most losses in a season, set during last year's campaign.
A third-quarter surge allowed the Clippers to bolt past the Lakers. The Clippers used a 24-5 run and turned an eight-point edge at the half into a 76-49 advantage after a Jamal Crawford jumper with 3:38 left in the third quarter. They led 84-60 heading into the final period.
The Clippers outscored the Lakers 32-16 in the third.
The Clippers roared out to a 20-2 lead after a runner by Paul at 6:46 of the first quarter. The Lakers showed some resiliency after that, pulling within seven on several occasions in the first half before the Clippers took a 52-44 lead at the break.
The Lakers managed to stay within striking range despite shooting 32.6 percent to 48.8 percent for the Clippers in the first half. Overall, the Clippers converted 51.3 percent to 31.3 percent for the Lakers.
Blake Griffin played his second game for the Clippers since returning from injuries and a four-game suspension. Griffin finished with four points on 1-of-5 shooting and added three rebounds and three assists in 17 minutes. He committed four turnovers.
Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson, who had 10 points, left the game early in the fourth quarter with a lower leg injury.
NOTES: Clippers coach Doc Rivers exhibited a sense of humor discussing the imminent retirement of Lakers F Kobe Bryant before game. Rivers shared recollections of his time coaching the Boston Celtics when he faced Bryant and the Lakers in the NBA Finals in 2008 and 2010. They split the two matches, with Boston winning in 2008, but now the Lakers are suffering through hard times. "Oh no sadness my way," Rivers said to much laughter of Bryant and the Lakers' current troubles. "I love Kobe, but I'd never cheer for him to win." ... Clippers F Paul Pierce missed his fourth game with a right ankle sprain and right knee contusion, but could return Wednesday when the two teams meet again. ... Lakers F Larry Nance Jr. was held out because knee issues have prevented him from playing him in back-to-back contests. He too could play Wednesday.