Griffin powers Clippers to OT win over Hornets
LOS ANGELES -- Blake Griffin scored 43 points and collected 10 rebounds, lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a 124-121 overtime victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night at Staples Center.
DeAndre Jordan contributed 20 points and 19 rebounds for the Clippers, who defeated the Hornets at Staples for the seventh consecutive time. Chris Paul had 15 points, 17 assists and nine rebounds, while J.J. Redick scored 22 points for Los Angeles (36-23).
Kemba Walker led the Hornets (25-34) with 34 points, and Nicolas Batum added 31 and eight rebounds. Jeremy Lamb chipped in 19 points, while Frank Kaminsky finished with 16 points and five rebounds before fouling out with 4:21 left in regulation.
Charlotte fell for the sixth time in seven contests.
In overtime, Griffin missed one of two free throws for a 121-120 lead with 20 seconds left. The Hornets had a chance to take the lead, but a turnover by Walker led to a dunk by Jordan for a 123-120 advantage with three seconds remaining, sealing the outcome.
Griffin's three-point play with 1:16 left in the extra session put the Clippers up 118-116. Paul's bucket 19 seconds later made it a four-point lead.
Two fouls shots by Lamb closed the gap to two at 1:05, and then Lamb's baseline jumper with 31 seconds tied the score.
A 3-pointer by Batum gave the Hornets a 108-107 advantage, but Griffin nailed a corner trey for a 110-108 lead with 1:05 left in regulation. Griffin's three-point play gave the Clippers a 113-108 edge, but Walker's 3-pointer with 36 seconds remaining pulled the Hornets to within two.
Walker tied the score with two free throws with 11.9 seconds remaining.
Paul couldn't convert a jumper over Walker just before the horn, forcing overtime.
NOTES: Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said his team is as healthy as it has been all season. "Now we got to get our timing and our rhythm back because we haven't played with this group and that may take a little bit, but we'll get it," Rivers said. ... Hornets coach Steve Clifford is pleased with the recent play of C Frank Kaminsky, who had 23 points and 13 rebounds Saturday in a win over the Sacramento Kings. Kaminsky's role has been expanded in the absence of F/C Cody Zeller (quad soreness) and C Miles Plumlee (right calf strain). "The thing I've liked about it is his defense," Clifford said of Kaminsky. ... The Hornets visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. ... The Clippers host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.