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Pacific showdown when Clips visit Phoenix

Mar 4, 2014 - 2:50 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Two of the best in the Pacific Division take center stage on Tuesday night when the Los Angeles Clippers visit US Airways Center to take on the Phoenix Suns.

The Clippers have won four straight, including two on the road. They own a 4 1/2 game lead over the Golden State Warriors in the Pacific and are five clear of the Suns.

LA's most recent victory came Saturday night at home over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Clippers waxed the Pelicans, 108-76.

"Our defense was great, there wasn't a lot of bad tonight and that was a good thing. If we can defend with the offense we have, we're going to be pretty good," LA head coach Doc Rivers said.

Chris Paul had 21 points and eight assists for the Clippers. Blake Griffin netted 20 points, and DeAndre Jordan snatched 12 rebounds. Darren Collison (15), Matt Barnes (14) and Reggie Bullock (11) all scored in double figures for the Clips.

Jamal Crawford is day-to-day with a calf strain and J.J. Redick is still sidelined with a bulging disc in his back. Newly-signed Danny Granger should be ready to go on Tuesday.

The Suns have won two straight after a three-game losing streak. Phoenix knocked off the Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks, both at home and the Suns will complete a four-game homestand Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Suns knocked off the Hawks, 129-120 on Sunday night.

Gerald Green netted 33 points and went 9-of-14 from the field, 5-of-8 from 3- point range and sunk all 10 of his foul shots.

Markieff Morris provided 21 points and eight rebounds, while Goran Dragic added 19 points, eight assists and five boards for the Suns. Marcus Morris chipped in 18 off the bench and P.J. Tucker managed 10.

Phoenix shot 55 percent from the floor and 62.5 percent from long range. The Suns led 79-65 at the half.

"We really pushed the ball. It was a high pace, they were scoring within five or six seconds, and we were scoring within five or six seconds. There were a lot of offensive opportunities out there," Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek said of the first half.

The Suns bested the Clippers by 19 at the Staples Center on Dec. 30. The two teams will meet twice more this season, but the Suns are 11-1 in their last 12 at home against the Clippers.