Clippers 78 - 81 Suns
Final
  for this game

Clippers, Suns tangle in the desert

Mar 2, 2012 - 3:59 PM (Sports Network) - The Pacific Division-leading Clippers aim to halt a long losing streak in the desert when they resume a six-game road trip against the Phoenix Suns.

The Clips, who lead the Lakers by one game in the Pacific, have lost eight straight in Phoenix but this is a far different club now that All-Star point guard Chris Paul is running the show.

Paul led six Clippers in double figures with 22 points to go along with nine assists, as Los Angeles used a big second half to down Sacramento, 108-100, on Thursday.

Mo Williams donated 18 points with five assists, Blake Griffin added 14 points and nine rebounds, and Caron Butler contributed 13 points for the Clippers, who have won two of three overall

The Clippers, of course, are becoming one of the best alley-oop teams in the league -- Paul-to-Griffin is a common sight -- and Paul said he's been getting easy layups because opponents are so scared he's going to throw a lob pass.

"The dunks are all good and well, but at the end of the day it's all about wins and losses," said Paul.

The Clips, who are 9-7 as the visitor, will also take on Houston, Minnesota, New Jersey and San Antonio on their trek.

The Suns, meanwhile, improved to 3-1 on a six-game homestand Thursday by disposing of Minnesota, 104-95. Grant Hill scored a season-high 20 points in that one as Phoenix pulled away to beat the improved Timberwolves for the ninth straight time.

The Suns were playing their first game since Feb. 22, but showed little rust while shooting better than 53 percent, including nearly 61 percent in the third quarter.

Marcin Gortat added 17 points and Steve Nash had 13 points, 17 assists and eight rebounds in the win.

"We just stayed after it, kept attacking," said Suns coach Alvin Gentry.

Phoenix has won 11 of its past 12 games overall against the Clippers.






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