NBA: Clippers hold on to beat Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) grabs a rebound from Indiana Pacers’ Lavoy Allen (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, in Indianapolis. The Clippers won 103-96. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
INDIANAPOLIS — Chris Paul tallied 17 points and 15 assists to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to their ninth straight win with a 103-96 victory over the struggling Indiana Pacers Wednesday.
DeAndre Jordan delivered 12 points and 19 rebounds while Jamal Crawford came off the bench to score 18 in the victory in front of a crowd of 16,392 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse arena.
Article continues after this advertisement“We are just playing the right way and sharing the ball,” said Paul. “It is not easy on the road, but we pulled it out.”
Blake Griffin scored 17 points with 10 rebounds for the Clippers who kicked off a three-game National Basketball Association road trip with the win.
C.J. Miles led all scorers with 30 points off Indiana’s bench. The Pacers reserves scored 66 points in their sixth straight loss.
Article continues after this advertisementLavoy Allen added 14 points and 13 rebounds in a reserve role and he was joined by Luis Scola, who finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Indiana also suffered a 108-92 loss versus the Atlanta Hawks Monday.
The Pacers had won three straight against the Clippers but two of those victories came last year when they had a healthy Paul George in the lineup.
Behind by 17 points entering the final quarter, the Pacers chipped away at the Clippers’ lead. Miles scored eight points in a 12-4 surge to cut the deficit to 86-77.
With two minutes left in regulation, Allen’s jumper pulled Indiana within two. Crawford answered with a jump shot at the other end, then Miles’ missed shot from beyond the arc. Griffin sank one of two free throws and Indiana couldn’t muster any offence from there.
“It was basically a replay of the first half. The starters come in and get a big lead, and the second unit comes in and loses it. The starters have to hold on, and fortunately, they were able to do it,” said Clippers coach Doc Rivers.
Los Angeles next visits Washington and Milwaukee on their road trip.
The Clippers are playing well at home and on the road, closing out a perfect four-game home stretch at Staples Center with Monday’s thrilling 121-120 overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns.
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