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Clippers down Nuggets; Griffin ties franchise mark

Jan 6, 2011 - 7:55 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Eric Gordon finished with 28 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers in a convincing, 106-93, victory over the Denver Nuggets at the Staples Center.

Blake Griffin posted 22 points and 18 rebounds, while DeAndre Jordan finished with 14 points, a career-high 20 boards and six blocks for the Clippers, who snapped a two-game skid.

Griffin also finished with seven assists, and with his 22nd consecutive double-double tied Swen Nater for the franchise record. Nater achieved the feat as a member of the Buffalo Braves in 1978.

Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 31 to go along with nine rebounds. Chauncey Billups added 25 points and Nene finished with 12 points and nine rebounds for the Nuggets, who had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Denver also got some bad news when backup point guard Ty Lawson suffered a sprained left knee

"It's a day-to-day sort of thing. I just have to ice it down," Lawson said of the injury.

Anthony scored 14 in the first quarter, including a driving layup in the closing seconds, but the Clippers led 30-23 after the opening 12. Los Angeles widened the margin to 51-43 at the half.

After a back-and-fourth third quarter the Clippers' lead remained at eight, 82-74, entering the final stanza.

An Anthony alley-oop layup and two Smith free throws opened up the fourth quarter and trimmed the Clippers' advantage to four, 82-78. After the teams traded baskets, Los Angeles then went on a 17-5 run -- bookended by Jordan baskets -- to widen the Clippers' lead to a game-high 16 with 4:08 remaining.

Los Angeles' lead never fell below 12 down the stretch.

"We were determined to come out in the second half with higher intensity than they had," Jordan said.

Game Notes

Griffin's seven assists tied a season high...The Clippers snapped a four-game skid to the Nuggets...Baron Davis finished with 16 points and eight assists, and Ryan Gomes added 13 points for the victors...Los Angeles held a 57-43 rebounding advantage...The Clippers shot 37 percent from three-point range, 42.1 percent for Denver...Arron Afflalo finished with 10 points for the Nuggets.