Clippers 101, Jazz 97
Blake Griffin had 24 points, seven assists and six rebounds and Chris Paul contributed 20 points, eight assists and four steals as host Los Angeles defeated Utah for the 12th consecutive time.
DeAndre Jordan recorded 19 rebounds and four blocks for the Clippers, who were 10-of-23 from 3-point range. Jamal Crawford and J.J. Redick scored 17 points apiece as Los Angeles improved to 13-4 at home.
Gordon Hayward had 22 points and seven assists and Enes Kanter scored 16 points for the Jazz, who lost for the second time in their last six games. Derrick Favors had 15 points and nine rebounds, Rudy Gobert had 11 points and 13 rebounds and Trey Burke scored 11 for Utah, which struggled with a 13-of-22 effort from the free-throw line.
Jordan’s tip-in with 1:55 remaining gave the Clippers a 99-96 lead and Utah had a chance to trim its deficit but Favors – who went 3-of-9 from the free-throw line – missed two attempts with 31.6 seconds to play. Crawford split two free throws with 24.2 seconds left and Griffin also made one of two with 7.9 seconds to play to make it a two-possession game.
The Clippers used an early 14-2 run to build a 10-point advantage and led 48-44 at the break. Hayward scored 10 points in the third and Utah held the advantage late in the quarter before Paul drained a 3-pointer to forge a tie at 77 entering the final stanza.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Jazz possessed a 44-18 edge in points in the paint. … Jordan has grabbed 15 or more rebounds on 12 occasions this season. … Utah G Alec Burks (shoulder) missed his second straight game.