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Bledsoe, Clippers slip past struggling Magic

Feb 7, 2013 - 5:23 AM Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Eric Bledsoe scored 27 points to go along with six rebounds and six steals, as the shorthanded Los Angeles Clippers grinded out an 86-76 victory over the struggling Orlando Magic.

DeAndre Jordan added 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Clippers, who finally had something to smile about on the Grammy road trip, snapping a three-game skid. They did it without Blake Griffin, who missed his second straight game with a strained left hamstring, and Chris Paul, who sat out his ninth straight contest with a bruised right kneecap.

"Once we get the whole team back...hopefully after the All-Star break, we can mesh and get ourselves ready for the postseason," Clippers forward Grant Hill said.

Jameer Nelson led Orlando with 18 points and five rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. The Magic were the cure to the Clippers' ails, dropping their 11th straight game. Orlando is just 2-22 since Dec. 21.

"It's tough for us right now," Nelson said of the skid. "It's something that we have to stick together through and get out of together."

The Magic maintained a 16-10 edge prior to seven in a row from the visitors, which claimed the edge on Jordan's slam. The two teams went into the second quarter in a 17-17 stalemate, but Orlando seized a 33-26 lead as Nelson connected on a 26-foot bomb with just under seven minutes to go in the first half.

Again the visitors finished the period strong, tying the game at 40-40 on Bledsoe's jumper before Ish Smith gave the Magic a two-point lead at the half.

The third quarter proved vital, as Orlando managed just 13 points and saw its halftime lead quickly erased. Bledsoe's trey and Willie Green's layup gave the Clippers a 51-46 lead, and Caron Butler's 3-pointer moments later opened a 56-46 lead and capped 12 successive points.

Orlando missed all eight of its shots and committed two turnovers during the game-changing stretch. The Magic got back within five, but jumpers by Bledsoe and Hill handed Los Angeles a 64-55 lead after three quarters.

The Magic drew within five early in the quarter and seven on two other occasions, including 78-71 after Vucevic's jumper, but Lamar Odom's trey and Bledsoe's two free throws expanded the margin to 83-71 and all but ended any possibility of a rally.

Game Notes

The Clippers made 40.2 percent of their shots, including 6-of-18 from long range ... Odom scored eight points with five rebounds, four assists and six steals ... Ryan Hollins added 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Clippers ... Kyle O'Quinn posted 10 points and nine rebounds in the loss.