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Griffin and Clippers dominate Bobcats

Jan 2, 2014 - 6:22 AM Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Blake Griffin netted 31 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, as the Los Angeles Clippers used a strong third quarter to surge past the Charlotte Bobcats en route to a 112-85 victory on Wednesday at Staples Center.

Chris Paul posted a 17-point, 14-assist double-double, while Jared Dudley drained six 3-pointers and finished with 20 points for the Clippers, who had lost three of their last four games coming into the contest.

"When you move the ball side to side, it opens up the floor," Dudley said. "When I see the ball go in, it brings confidence. I was aggressive tonight."

Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker each scored 14 points to pace the Bobcats, who have lost four straight, including the first three games of a five-game road trip.

"We played a great, championship-caliber team tonight," Charlotte head coach Steve Clifford said. "Our first half offense was good, but we didn't play well in the second half."

With the game tied 56-56 at the break, the Clippers opened the second half on a 14-4 flurry that Dudley bookended with a pair of 3-pointers to give LA a 70-60 lead with 8:00 left in the third.

Jefferson stopped the surge with a layup at the other end, but Dudley drilled another triple and DeAndre Jordan followed with consecutive buckets around an Anthony Tolliver jumper to make it 77-64 with 5:08 on the clock.

The Clippers carried an 81-69 advantage into the fourth, which Dudley opened with another trey to create a 15-point spread.

A Bismack Biyombo bucket brought the Bobcats within 11 with 7:18 left, but Griffin registered the game's next eight points to push the margin to 97-78 with 5:31 remaining in the contest.

The Clippers cruised to victory the rest of the way.

Neither team was able to create much separation in a first half that featured 18 lead changes and eight ties.

Charlotte's biggest lead was six, while LA's was five before the teams went into halftime tied at 56-56.

Game Notes

The Clippers improved to 14-3 at home this season, while the Bobcats dropped to 6-9 on the road ... LA has won six straight against Charlotte ... Dudley drained as many 3-pointers as the entire Charlotte squad, which finished 6- of-21 from beyond the arc.