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Jefferson, Jazz down Clippers

Dec 30, 2010 - 6:38 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Al Jefferson posted a season-high 31 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, as Utah overcame another double-double for Blake Griffin in a 103-95 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Gordon Hayward added 17 points, while Deron Williams chipped in 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Mehmet Okur ended with 13 points and Paul Millsap had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz, who have won four of their last five games.

Griffin had 30 points and 12 rebounds, setting a Clippers record with his 20th straight double-double. His nine straight games of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds is the most in the NBA since Shaquille O'Neal racked up the same number from January 3-21, 2005. Since the 2000 season, Kevin Garnett has had the most consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound games, doing it 11 straight times from February 16, 2003 - March 5, 2003.

Eric Gordon added 19 points, wile DeAndre Jordan chipped in 14 points and a career-high seven blocks for the Clippers, who lost for the second time in seven games.

"Utah can execute as well as anyone in the league," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Al Jefferson did it to us tonight. In the second half our ball movement and execution was not where it should be. We have to tighten things up."

Hayward and Jefferson each scored 10 during Utah's dominant third quarter, which yielded a 30-13 scoring difference. The Clippers shot 3-of-16 in the quarter and five turnovers led to nine Utah points.

Down 57-51 at the half, the Jazz started the third on an 11-1 run. Hayward drilled a three to give the visitors the lead and his two made free throws capped the spurt. Okur's bank shot finished a 7-0 run to end the quarter, expanding Utah's lead to 81-70.

"Those guys are athletic. It's hard to come back, we just kept attacking," Jefferson said. "We trust our offense. We got some stops and were able to run."

Eric Bledsoe's three-pointer had LA within 81-77, but the Jazz scored the next nine, finished by Jefferson's jumper to erase any hopes of a Clippers comeback.

The Clippers were ahead by as many as 12 in the opening quarter before settling for a 31-23 lead after the period. Millsap's layup close the gap to 43-42 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half.

Game Notes

Al-Farouq Aminu had 13 points and eight rebounds for LA...The Jazz are 3-0 against the Clippers this season and have won 10 of the last 11 meetings.