Clippers 105, Nets 95
LOS ANGELES -- Guard Jamal Crawford came off the bench to score 26 points, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a 105-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night at Staples Center.
Crawford scored 14 of his points in the second half as the Clippers (39-20) defeated the Nets for the fifth consecutive time at home. They also swept the season series, earning a 105-100 win on Dec. 12 at Brooklyn.
Point guard Chris Paul had 23 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, while shooting guard J.J. Redick added 19 points for the Clippers.
Center Brook Lopez collected 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who failed in their attempt to win three in a row for the first time this season. Brooklyn (17-43) opened its current nine-game road trip with victories over the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns before falling short against Los Angeles.
Brooklyn forward Bojan Bogdanovic chipped in 19 points and six rebounds, while guard Wayne Ellington had 13 points.
An 18-7 surge to open the fourth quarter allowed the Clippers to create some breathing room after they failed to shake the Nets for the first three quarters. Crawford buried a jumper to end the third to tie the score, then helped spark the Clippers in the fourth by scoring 11 points during the decisive run. The Nets were unable to recover.
In the first half, there were nine lead changes and 12 ties as the Clippers surged ahead 52-46 at the break. Both clubs struggled offensively in the second quarter, with Los Angeles shooting 38.9 percent to 28 percent for Brooklyn. The Clippers completed the half shooting 42.9 percent to 37 percent for the Nets.
For the game, the Clippers hit 49.4 percent of their shots to 41.6 percent for the Nets.
Los Angeles starting forward Luc Mbah a Moute left the game with 3:56 left in the second quarter with a lacerated left eyelid and did not return. Mbah a Moute finished with two points and four rebounds in nine minutes.
Clippers forward Paul Pierce returned after missing a game due to a family matter. Pierce had eight points and five boards in 22 minutes.
NOTES: Injured backup PG Austin Rivers, who has missed 10 games with a broken left hand, is expected to return Wednesday when the Clippers host the Oklahoma City Thunder. Coach Doc Rivers, though, wouldn't commit to his son being back in the lineup for the showdown between the Western Conference's No. 3 and 4 clubs. "I think we're going to wait until (Tuesday) and see how he looks," Doc Rivers said. ... Brooklyn fell to 8-18 against Western Conference teams. The Nets are 3-6 against the Pacific Division but winless against the Clippers (0-2), Los Angeles Lakers (0-1) and Golden State Warriors (0-2). They face the Lakers on Tuesday. ... Brooklyn leads the all-time series 47-38 but is 14-29 against the Clippers in Los Angeles.