Griffin-led Clippers rally to defeat Celtics
LOS ANGELES -- Blake Griffin scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers used a second-half rally to run past the Boston Celtics 116-102 on Monday night at Staples Center.
Chris Paul had 23 points, while Jamal Crawford, who made 4 of 5 from 3-point range, scored 17 of his 19 points after the break for the Clippers (38-25). Los Angeles center DeAndre Jordan collected 15 points and 12 boards.
Isaiah Thomas scored 32 points and handed out five assists for the Celtics (40-24). Marcus Smart had 21 points for Boston, while Avery Bradley added 14.
The Clippers opened the fourth quarter with a 21-9 run for a 96-80 advantage after three consecutive dunks by Jordan, the last one coming via an alley-oop pass from Crawford with 6:07 left. The Celtics were unable to get any closer than nine the rest of the way.
Boston led by as much as 13 in the third after a bucket by Jae Crowder with 4:28 left in the quarter. However, the Clippers, who trailed by three at halftime, rallied with a 22-6 spurt to end the quarter with a 75-71 edge.
Griffin had 10 points in the third, while Crawford scored nine.
Los Angeles outshot Boston 53.4 percent to 41 percent.
The Celtics played without center Al Horford (sprained right elbow) for the second straight game. Coach Brad Stevens said there is no timetable for Horford's return.
NOTES: Clippers coach Doc Rivers said he is most amazed with the ability of Celtics 5-9 PG Isaiah Thomas to convert points in the paint than any part of his game. "I don't even know if he can see anything sometimes when he's down there, and he finishes," Rivers said. ... Boston has a 9-6 record in the second game of back-to-back contests. The Celtics lost 109-106 at Phoenix on Sunday when Suns rookie G Tyler Ulis hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. ... Celtics F Jonas Jerebko missed the game with flu. ... Both clubs resume play Wednesday on the road. The Celtics continue their five-game swing against the Golden State Warriors, while the Clippers visit the Minnesota Timberwolves.