Clippers 105, Warriors 86
Chris Paul buried three straight shots to break the game open as the Los Angeles Clippers pulled away late in the fourth quarter for a 105-86 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the season opener for both teams Sunday night.
Paul, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Hornets, finished with 20 points and nine assists in his Clipper debut, including six straight points as Los Angeles finished the game on a 23-5 run.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin scored a team-high 22 points and Chauncey Billups – another new acquisition – added 21 as Los Angeles held Golden State to one field goal in the final 6 1/2 minutes.
The Clippers had stretched an 82-81 lead to 91-84 before four-time Paul took control. The four-time All-Star drilled an 18-footer, followed with a short jumper in the lane and beat the shot clock with a 22-foot jumper to cap a personal 6-0 run and build the lead to 97-84 with 2:38 to go.
David Lee had 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Warriors, who battled back from a 10-point third-quarter deficit to get within one with just under seven minutes to play.