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Griffin, Clippers defeat Nets

Nov 17, 2013 - 6:58 AM Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Blake Griffin had 30 points and 12 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers topped a depleted Brooklyn Nets squad, 110-103, at Staples Center.

JJ Redick added 26 points, and Chris Paul contributed 12 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. DeAndre Jordan had 16 rebounds, nine points and five blocks for the Clippers, who won their fourth in a row.

Saturday night was supposed to mark a reunion for Nets starters Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, along with current Clippers coach Doc Rivers. Rivers was the Boston Celtics head coach from 2004-13, coaching Pierce for all nine seasons Rivers was with the franchise and Garnett for six seasons. The trio helped lead the Celtics to the 2008 NBA title.

Pierce and Garnett didn't play the finale of Brooklyn's three-game road trip, a night after an overtime win at Phoenix. Pierce is nursing a sore left groin. The Nets were also without starters Deron Williams and Brook Lopez due to sprained left ankles, but nearly pulled out a win. The downfall was 11 turnovers, leading to 25 Los Angeles points.

"We knew it was almost like a trap game," Griffin said. "It's a win, but we have to play better."

Andray Blatche and Mason Plumlee each scored 19 for the Nets, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

"We came to play. Those guys that suited up gave me everything they had," Nets coach Jason Kidd said. "The ball just didn't bounce our way tonight."

Joe Johnson drained a hook shot to get the Nets within 93-92 with 4:12 remaining in the contest, but Redick stemmed the tide by draining a 3-point shot.

Shaun Livingston's bucket had Brooklyn within 106-103 with 19.1 seconds left, but after Redick went 1-of-2 at the charity stripe, Johnson missed a 3-point shot. That sealed the outcome.

"We clearly didn't have the energy," Rivers said. "You could see that we didn't play great. Our guys hung in there. We gathered our composure and that was nice."

The Clippers scored 10 consecutive points at one juncture in the first quarter and led 29-26 after 12 minutes.

The Nets controlled the second and led by as many as 10 in the period before the Clippers closed within 55-54 at the break.

LA scored 18 in a row during the third quarter to grab a 74-67 lead with 1:49 remaining in the period. The hosts held a 76-75 edge going to the fourth.

It was during the third quarter when Griffin landed awkwardly after a rebound attempt. He limped off the court, but returned later in the quarter.

"I felt something when I came down. It scared me," Griffin said. "But I'm good, it feels better. I was told my Achilles is okay."

Game Notes

The Clippers are 5-0 at home ... Alan Anderson had 15 points for the Nets, while Jamal Crawford scored 13 for LA ... The Clippers shot 51.9 percent from the field, compared to 42.4 percent for Brooklyn ... Redick was 5-of-7 from 3- point range.