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Clippers earn rare win in Utah

Feb 2, 2012 - 7:49 AM Salt Lake City, UT (Sports Network) - It wasn't easy, but the Clippers picked up their first win in Salt Lake City since 2003.

Los Angeles had lost 15 straight against the Jazz in Utah, but got a season- high 34 points and 11 assists from Chris Paul to earn a 107-105 victory in a game which featured 12 ties and 14 lead changes

Blake Griffin added 31 points and 14 rebounds and executed a key three-point play in the final minute for the Clippers, who have won four straight overall.

"We really wanted this game," Paul said. "I think we did a great job of showing a lot of patience and fighting through."

Al Jefferson, a game-time decision due to an ankle injury, had a team-high 27 points and 12 boards for the Jazz, who saw their two-game win streak come to an end. C.J. Miles scored 16 and Paul Millsap finished with 14.

The Clippers were up 92-87 on Paul's up-and-under layup with under five minutes to play, but Jefferson followed with a bucket and hit 1-of-2 free throws shortly thereafter to make it a two-point game.

The margin was still two, 96-94, when Paul was off on a fadeaway jumper, but Mo Williams snared the offensive rebound and collided with Miles in mid-air, drawing a foul in the process. He made both foul shots with 30 seconds on the clock.

Jefferson quickly responded with a jump hook on the baseline but the Clippers broke Utah's press with ease and Griffin took the ball from half court to the basket, making a layup and drawing a foul on Jefferson. The ensuing free throw made it 101-96.

Utah wouldn't go easily, however. Millsap and Miles hit three-pointers on the team's next two possessions, but veteran Chauncey Billups answered both times with a pair of free throws.

Billups' second trip to the line had the Clippers up 105-102 with seven seconds left and Paul fouled Devin Harris to prevent another Utah three- pointer.

Harris made a pair, then Williams made a pair. Miles was fouled by Billups with a second to play. He hit the first free throw and intentionally missed the second, but LA reserve Reggie Evans was there to grab the rebound and seal the win.

"For the most part we fought hard...the guys hung in there to give us a chance to win," Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin said.

Earlier, Griffin and Paul combined for 26 of their team's 32 first quarter points and LA took a three-point lead into the second. There the Jazz responded, opening with a 15-2 run to take a 10-point lead, the largest advantage of the game for either team.

The Clippers responded, though, tying the game late in the quarter on Paul's floater before Jefferson made it 58-56 at the half with a short jumper. Neither team led by more than four in the third and the Jazz were up 74-72 entering the fourth.

Game Notes

The Clippers' last win in Salt Lake City came on January 22, 2003...LA's four- game win streak marks a season-high...Williams had 19 points...The Clippers held a 50-35 rebounding advantage.