Clippers rally behind Paul, Jordan as Sixers fade
LOS ANGELES -- Chris Paul scored 30 points and DeAndre Jordan added 19 points as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-100, Saturday.
Los Angeles (40-26) won their fourth game in their last five games. The victory was their 11th in their last twelve games against Philadelphia as they drew to within one game of the Utah Jazz for fourth place in the Western Conference. The Clippers shot 49.4 percent from the field (40-for-91). Blake Griffin added 15 points.
Philadelphia (23-42) lost their fourth straight game and seven of its last eight. Richaun Holmes had 24 points and 10 rebounds with Dario Saric adding 16 points. The 76ers shot 47.6 percent from the field (40-for-84).
Los Angeles used a 37-21 fourth quarter to secure the victory. Their 10-0 spurt at the start of the quarter gave them lead for good despite Philadelphia drawing to within one point four times.
The 76ers extended their halftime lead to 79-75 after three quarters by outscoring the Clippers, 22-19.
Philadelphia used a 13-5 run at the end of the second quarter to take a 57-56 lead at the half. Holmes' 14 points on 6 of 7 shooting led the way for the 76ers. Jordan 15 points included a perfect 6-for-6 from the field. The half featured 14 lead changes with the Clippers shooting 55.3 percent (21-for-38) and the 76ers 47.7 percent% (21-for-44).
The Clippers used a hot-shooting first quarter to lead 32-30, hitting 63.2 percent of their shots (12-for-19) but Philadelphia stayed close with its 3-point shooting, connecting on 6 of 12 attempts in the opening 12 minutes.
NOTES: 76ers C Tiago Splitter (right calf strain) and guard Jerryd Bayless (left wrist surgery) missed the contest. C Joel Embiid (knee) and top draft pick Ben Simmons (acute fracture, right foot) are out for the season as well. ... Philadelphia returns to Staples Center to continue its four-game western swing against the Lakers. ... Clippers C Diamond Stone missed his 10th straight game with a left knee bone bruise. ... Los Angeles evened their record to 5-5 since the All Star break. ... Clippers G Jamal Crawford suffered through a miserable shooting night. The usually reliable sixth man shot 2-for-13 including 0-for-4 from 3-point range to finish with eight points.