Clippers top Suns to end six-game losing streak
LOS ANGELES --- J.J. Redick scored 22 points and Jamal Crawford contributed 18 as the Los Angeles Clippers snapped a six-game skid with a 109-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night at Staples Center.
Point guard Raymond Felton scored 16 points and center DeAndre Jordan pulled down 20 rebounds to go with nine points for the Clippers (23-14). Luc Mbah a Moute chipped in 13 points.
T.J. Warren tallied 24 points and eight rebounds for the Suns (10-25), who lost for the fourth time in five games and the eighth time in the last 10. Eric Bledsoe just missed earning a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, nine assists and eight boards. Devin Booker scored 13 points.
Clippers point guard Chris Paul sat out his third straight contest with a sore left hamstring.
The Suns made a run late, pulling within 104-98 on two Bledsoe foul shots with 1:15 left, but they never scored again.
A 14-0 run by the Clippers in the third allowed a five-point lead to balloon to 89-70 after a dunk by Jordan with 1:50 remaining in the quarter. Phoenix scored the last six points of the third to cut the gap to 89-76 heading into the final quarter.
Despite 12 first-half turnovers, nine of those in the opening period, the Clippers held a 64-58 edge at the break. Shooting was the main reason. After hitting 62.5 percent in the second quarter, the Clippers finished the half making 56.8 percent, compared to 48 percent for the Suns.
The Clippers connected on 46.8 percent in the game, and the Suns hit 38.2 percent. Phoenix was 2 of 15 (13.3 percent) from long distance, while Los Angeles was 7 of 16 (43.8 percent).
The Clippers committed 20 turnovers (leading to 23 points), the Suns 12 (11 points).
Redick hit 6 of 8 attempts and 2 of 3 from 3-point range to lead all scorers with 14 points before intermission.
The win was the second this season by the Clippers over the Suns. Los Angeles recorded a 116-98 rout at Staples on Oct. 31.
NOTES: Clippers coach Doc Rivers said the club will be cautious with PG Chris Paul and his sore left hamstring. "He's getting better, but we're just going to take our time," Rivers said. Rivers didn't indicate whether Paul would play Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. ... With Paul out, Rivers said the team could use more production from SG Jamal Crawford, who was scoreless in 30 minutes in a rout by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 31. Crawford, averaging 12.1 points before the game against the Suns, has managed just 12 points in his last three games. ... The Suns ranked second in pace entering the game at 103.1 possessions per 48 minutes. ... Phoenix resumes play Tuesday at home against the Miami Heat.