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Surging Clippers roar past Thunder

Dec 17, 2008 - 7:19 AM OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- Eric Gordon and Zach Randolph each scored 22 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 98-88 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.

Baron Davis added 19 points and Marcus Camby had 13 and 15 rebounds for Los Angeles, which has won three straight and four of its last five.

Kevin Durant scored 25 for the Thunder, who continue to have all kinds of trouble at home.

Oklahoma City was outscored 48-40 in the second half to extend its franchise-record home losing streak to 11 games.

"We continue to get so close to winning games, and every night we find a way to not come through," Durant said. "I don't know if you can point out one exact thing that is killing us in these close games."

The Thunder have dropped eight straight games since a victory at Memphis on November 29, but all eight contests have been decided by 10 points or less.

"It's frustrating. Guys are working hard to get a win for our fans, for ourselves," Thunder swingman Desmond Mason said. "Down the stretch we unravel and we can't get a stop, can't get a basket. It's frustrating, but as long we stay in games we are going to have a chance to win, the thing is we need to find ways down the stretch to not make mistakes and close games out."

Randolph also added 13 rebounds and continued his strong play since being acquired from the New York Knicks on November 21.

Randolph has four straight double-doubles and has scored at least 21 points in each of his first nine starts for the Clippers.

"He's been doing a nice job for us since we've got him. When we got him, people said 'he was a black hole', but I haven't seen that at all," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "The way he loosens defenses up is to make good passes. Then we can work the two man game and really help this team out when he makes smart decisions with the basketball. Just to be able to have a go to guy in the post stabilizes you."

Gordon, a rookie out of Indiana, scored the first six points in a crucial 10-0 run by Los Angeles in the fourth quarter. Mardy Collins capped the burst with a steal and a dunk to put the Clippers up 87-73.

"I'm just knocking down shots," Gordon said. "I've got to contribute any way I can and play defense. My game is translating to the NBA well, I'm able to get to the basket and find ways to get open shots. Plus I am playing with a veteran team, and I am learning as I go."

Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox scored 13 each for the Thunder, who dropped to 1-12 under interim coach Scott Brooks.

"Tonight was a disappointing start. I thought we were going to come out and play with a lot of energy, but it just wasn't there," Brooks said. "We didn't have it tonight from the start. Give our guys credit for fighting back and taking the lead. We have to continue to get better at the little things, and the little things cost us tonight."