Griffin adds spice to Clippers’ victory over Thunder
LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Clippers did not just stop the Oklahoma Thunder’s winning streak. Blake Griffin also gave them something to remember him by.
The reigning slam dunk champion delivered what could wind up the slam of the year in the third period against a helpless Kendrick Perkins in the Clippers’ 112-100 home victory over the NBA-leading Thunder on Monday.
“That was unbelievable, man,” Clippers guard Chauncey Billups told reporters of the dunk. “We’re going to be seeing that one for years. I can’t wait to see that on TV myself.”
The instant highlight gave the Clippers a 21-point lead and sent them on their way to snapping the Thunder’s four-game winning streak.
Chris Paul, who fed Griffin for that dunk, orchestrated the victory with 26 points and 14 assists while Griffin and Caron Butler added 22 points each as Los Angeles (12-6) got their second win over a top Western Conference team in as many nights, having defeated Denver on Sunday.
Kevin Durant scored a game-high 36 points and had 13 rebounds while Russell Westbrook had 31 but the Thunder (16-4) fell behind by 11 after the first quarter and never recovered.
In Miami, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade each scored 22 points, and Mike Miller added 14 off the bench as the Heat shook off a slow start to hammer the New Orleans Hornets, 109-95.
James added 11 rebounds and eight assists for Miami, which won for the eighth time in nine games and ended up with six players in double figures.
OTHER RESULTS: Bulls 98, Wizards 88; Mavericks 122, Suns 99; 76ers 74, Magic 69; Timberwolves 120, Rockets 108; Spurs 83, Grizzlies 73; Bucks 103, Pistons 82; Jazz 93, Trail Blazers 89
