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Paul leads Clippers past Rockets in OT

Mar 5, 2012 - 4:13 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Chris Paul had 28 points and 10 assists and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Houston Rockets, 105-103, in overtime Sunday to end a close game in which neither team led by more than seven.

Paul had three of his 28 points in overtime after holding the ball too long on the last possession of regulation and getting off a shot that came after the buzzer.

Randy Foye added 15 points while Blake Griffin, Caron Butler and Mo Williams scored 14 apiece for the Clippers, who improve to 2-1 on a six-game road trip that continues Monday at Minnesota.

They also remained percentage points ahead of the Lakers for first place in the Pacific Division.

"This is a win we needed considering the Lakers won (against Miami)," said Griffin. "We needed to start building momentum going into this road trip."

Kevin Martin led Houston with 25 points and Samuel Dalembert scored 17 with 12 rebounds.

There were 24 lead changes and 20 ties in the game and Houston had the biggest advantage at seven points in the first quarter. LA's largest lead was six in the fourth quarter when Paul's jumper made it 89-83 inside five minutes.

Courtney Lee, who scored 13, knocked down a three for the Rockets then got them within 89-88 on a layup. Paul countered with a jumper, touching off a stretch of back-and-forth scoring.

Houston took a one-point lead on Luis Scola's putback but the Clippers went up 93-92 on a Williams steal and layup. Moments later, after some more give and take, Dalembert went to the line with a chance to give Houston the lead. But he made 1-of-2 to tie the game at 97.

Paul held the ball off an inbounds pass at the other end, dribbling on the right side, then lost control momentarily before heaving up a shot that not only didn't beat the buzzer, but missed.

The Rockets had a three-point lead in overtime after two Martin free throws and Lee's pullup jump shot. Griffin's dunk at the other end and a Paul jumper turned the tables, giving the Clippers a 104-103 edge with under a minute to play.

Turnovers by both teams led to a Martin miss and Paul made 1-of-2 foul shots for a 105-103 lead. Martin missed a three-point try and Dalembert couldn't score after getting the rebound, ending the game.

"It was just about a centimeter off," Martin said of his final try.

Earlier, Houston had a 30-25 lead after the first quarter and a 47-45 edge at halftime. The Clippers led 77-74 going into the fourth.

Game Notes

The Clippers beat the Rockets 117-89 in LA on Jan. 4...The Rockets have lost three in a row and start a five-game road trip at Boston on Tuesday. They will play seven of their next eight away from home.