Clippers top Lakers for 13th time in 14 meetings
LOS ANGELES -- Chris Paul scored 27 points, J.J. Redick contributed 24, and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled past the Los Angeles Lakers 133-109 on Tuesday night at Staples Center.
Austin Rivers had 18 points and Jamal Crawford added 15, including a 3-pointer from 46 feet to end the third quarter, for the Clippers, who had eight players score in double figures. Blake Griffin had 12 points and eight assists, while DeAndre Jordan chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds. Marreese Speights and Brandon Bass scored 10 apiece.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers was able to rest his starters late in the game for the second consecutive night. They watched from the bench Monday in a 114-105 victory over the New York Knicks.
The Clippers (43-29) defeated the Lakers for the 13th time in 14 meetings.
Brandon Ingram scored 21 points to lead the Lakers, who lost their sixth in a row and 14th in the past 15 contests. D'Angelo Russell had 18 points, Ivica Zubac scored 17 and Thomas Robinson collected 16 points in 10 minutes off the bench for the Lakers (20-51).
Lakers coach Luke Walton benched his starters to start the second half, but eventually allowed each of them to return. They played the entire fourth quarter.
The Clippers never trailed. They held a 33-24 advantage after one quarter and increased the margin to 70-40 at the break. The Clippers shot 60.9 percent from the floor in the second half and hit 4 of 8 from 3-point range. The Lakers managed 29.2 percent shooting and 1 of 7 from long distance.
For the game, the Clippers made 53.6 percent and converted 15 of 33 from beyond the arc compared to 46.7 percent and 6 of 20 for the Lakers.
NOTES: Doc Rivers said he agrees with NBA commissioner Adam Silver that resting players has become a "significant issue," but the Clippers coach said he doesn't have a solution for it. "I wish there was an easy answer; I don't have an answer," said Rivers, who is on the league's competition committee. "I know guys do need rest and I know fans need to see guys play." Rivers said during the weekend that the league might want to reconsider scheduling back-to-back contests for teams scheduled for nationally televised games. ... The Clippers visit the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. ... The Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.