Hornets 92 - 99 Clippers
Final
  for this game

Clippers hold off Hornets

Mar 18, 2015 - 5:59 AM

Video

Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Both Clippers big men had double-doubles and Los Angeles nearly coughed up a 22-point lead before holding off the Charlotte Hornets 99-92 on Tuesday.

Blake Griffin had 19 points and 11 rebounds and DeAndre Jordan posted 12 and 14 boards for the Clippers, who are just 10-10 since the start of February.

J.J. Redick scored a game-high 23 points and Chris Paul netted 20 in the win.

"Right now is when teams start finding themselves," said Paul. "We're just trying to win games. We haven't locked down a playoff spot yet."

Charlotte opened a five-game road trip on Monday with a humbling 94-66 loss in Utah, and nearly duplicated that result in this one. A second-half rally made things interesting before the Hornets ultimately came up short.

"Nine turnovers hurt us in the first half," said Hornets coach Steve Clifford.

Al Jefferson had 21 points and Marvin Williams tallied his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The Clippers shot better than 53 percent from the floor and 6-of-12 from 3- point range in the first half. Griffin and Redick had 27 between them at the break and the hosts led 59-41.

The lead ballooned to 22 early in the third on Paul's triple, and the Clippers were well on their way to a rout before Charlotte closed the gap.

Kemba Walker was the catalyst, netting seven points in the final 1:31 of the third quarter. Mo Williams added a layup and a triple during Charlotte's 12-2 run to close the period and make it 77-74 after three.

"We had an 18 point lead, then we turned it over four straight times and they got back into it," said Clippers coach Doc Rivers. "Hopefully this will be a lesson for us."

The Hornets got within one on a number of occasions but never got over the hump. Trailing by four late, Jefferson had a rebound kick off his leg and out of bounds, and he missed a jump hook at the other end. Gerald Henderson was off the mark with a jumper with 18 seconds to go, and Griffin secured the rebound and the game for LA.

Game Notes

Charlotte has dropped four of five ... Clippers forward Matt Barnes (hamstring) did not dress ... Williams and Walker scored 18 and 15 points, respectively.






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