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Clippers try to extend club-record winning streak in Phoenix

Dec 23, 2012 - 3:50 PM (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Clippers will try to push their franchise- record winning streak to 13 games when they visit the Phoenix Suns for Sunday's battle at US Airways Center.

The Clippers haven't lost since Nov. 26 and have posted 12 consecutive victories for the first time in club history. Prior to the current run, the franchise mark was an 11-game winning streak set by the Buffalo Braves during the 1974-75 season.

Los Angeles earned its most recent triumph Friday against visiting Sacramento, posting a 97-85 victory. The win improved L.A.'s record this season to 20-6 and the Clippers enter Sunday's action three games ahead of Golden State for the Pacific Division lead. The Clippers have never won a division title.

Chris Paul led the way in Friday's win with 24 points, 13 assists and five steals.

"It's pretty cool and great for the fans," Paul said of the streak. "For us it's another win, but we can't be satisfied. One thing about us, we are playing together."

Blake Griffin added 21 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles.

"One thing about this streak, we've won in a variety of different ways," Griffin said.

The Clippers' average margin of victory during the stretch is 14.8 points. L.A. has won five straight on the road during its winning streak and is 8-3 as the guest this season.

The Suns will try to get back in the win column on Sunday after dropping a 96-93 decision in Portland on Saturday. Phoenix had won four in a row before losing at the Rose Garden.

Damian Lillard scored a game-high 25 points to help lead the Trail Blazers to the win.

The difference in Saturday's game came in the second half. Phoenix led by as many as 12 in the first half and held a 10-point advantage in the third, but Portland came on strong toward the end of the third period to grab the momentum. Lillard would eventually seal the win for Portland with a clutch fadeaway jumper late in the fourth.

Marcin Gortat led Phoenix with 18 points and nine rebounds and Shannon Brown followed with 15 points in the setback.

"We were right there," Suns head coach Alvin Gentry said. "We just had to come up with a couple of plays."

The loss dropped the Suns to 2-11 as the road team this year, but Phoenix is 9-5 as the host.

The Clippers posted a 117-99 win over the visiting Suns on Dec. 8, but L.A. has lost its last 10 games in Phoenix. The Suns also have claimed five of the last seven meetings overall in this series.