LOS ANGELES: Blake Griffin scored 30 points, going over 7,000 for his career, and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied after blowing an 18-point, first-half lead to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 120-100 on yesterday night for their seventh straight victory.
J J Redick scored 13 of his 21 points in the first quarter, Jamal Crawford added 20, Chris Paul had 18 points and 16 assists, and DeAndre Jordan had 18 rebounds for Los Angeles. Griffin was one of just two starters to go to the free throw line, where he made 10 of 15. Anthony Davis scored 26 points, Ryan Anderson added 16 off the bench and Luke Babbitt had 12 after making four of five 3-pointers for New Orleans, which has dropped two straight and five of six.
The Clippers led by 18 early in the second quarter only to watch the Pelicans tie it at 54-all at halftime. New Orleans shot 74 percent and made 5 of 6 3-pointers in the quarter, when Anderson led the way with 12 points. Babbitt hit a 3-pointer for the tie with 28 seconds left.
Griffin’s layup late in the second gave him 7,001 points, making the four-year veteran the second-quickest in franchise history behind Bob McAdoo to reach that mark.
The Pelicans took their only lead of the game, 56-54, to start the third on a hook by Omer Asik. From there, the Clippers gradually pulled away to another double-digit lead on a 3-pointer by Paul. They stretched it to 93-78 at the end of the third on Paul’s running layup.
Redick capped his red-hot opening quarter with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, giving the Clippers a 34-18 lead after they shot 65 percent.
The Pelicans got back in it in the second with their five 3-pointers. Anderson had two 3s, Austin Rivers added one and Babbitt hit the tying 3 just before half-time.
In Chicago, Draymond Green’s career-high 31 points helped the Golden State Warriors stretch their NBA winning streak to a club record 12 games yesterday with a 112-102 victory over the Bulls.
Green made seven three-pointers and provided seven rebounds, four steals and three blocks for the Warriors, who improved their league-leading record to 17-2.
The Warriors, under the guidance of first-year coach Steve Kerr, have now bettered their previous franchise record winning streak of 11 games, set from December 1971-January 1972.
Kerr received a warm welcome in Chicago, where he won three of his five NBA championships as a player with the Bulls.
Green’s efforts helped make up for the continuing struggles of Golden State star Stephen Curry, who notched seven assists but connected on just five of 14 shots from the field in an 18-point effort. AGENCIES
