February 26th, 2017

The Clippers needed overtime, and a brilliant game from Blake Griffin, but they beat the Hornets on Sunday night 124-121 at Staples.

Griffin scored 43 points to go along with 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, as he helped the Clippers snap their two game losing skid.  Chris Paul added 15 points, 17 assists, and 9 rebounds despite a tough shooting game.  CP3 missed 14 of his 18 shots from the field.

The Clippers gave up a 17-point lead in the third quarter, then the score was tied at 113-113 when Kemba Walker made two free throws with 11.9 seconds left in regulation.  Walker scored 34 points for the game.  Paul missed a potential game-winning jumper, and the teams headed into overtime.

The Clippers built a 4 point lead in the extra period, but that also disappeared, when Charlotte’s Jeremy Lamb made a 16-foot jumper to tie the score at 120-120.

Griffin then made one of two free throws for a 121-120 Clippers lead with 20.7 seconds left.  The Hornets still had a chance to steal the game.

Charlotte had to call a timeout with 19.2 seconds left and another with 10.2 to play because of tough defense by the Clippers.  LA then forced a turnover, and Paul’s missed layup was rebounded by DeAndre Jordan for a slam dunk, which secured the win.

Jordan finished with 20 points and 19 rebounds.  “When it came down to it, I think we just made some really great plays in overtime,” said J.J.Redick, who had 22 points. “Blake was huge. It was a one-possession game and it came down to one play.”

The Clippers will return to action on Wednesday against Houston, where they’ll try to make it two in a row at Staples Center.