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| AIMING HIGH: Toronto Raptors’ Leandro Barbosa shoots on Chicago Bulls’ Kyle Korver during the second quarter of their NBA game in Chicago. (Reuters |
The new-look Los Angeles Clippers proved they are a worthy foe to the Los Angeles Lakers, withstanding Kobe Bryant’s fourth straight 40-point game and never trailing in a 102-94 victory Saturday night.
Chris Paul scored 33 points before leaving late with a hamstring injury and Blake Griffin added 22 and 14 rebounds for the Clippers, who have always played in the shadow of the Lakers but appear ready to challenge their supremacy.
“It’s definitely going to take time if we’re going to remove that label,” Griffin said.
Last month, the Lakers thought they had swung a deal for Paul, the All-Star point guard of the New Orleans Hornets.
But Commissioner David Stern voided the deal because it did not help the Hornets, who are owned by the NBA. The Clippers then put together their own package for Paul and instantly became relevant. The first meeting between the teams lived up to the hype. It was an intense affair, with five technical fouls and a handful of minor altercations.
Paul scored 11 points in the first quarter as the Clippers opened a 31-24 lead.
Chauncey Billups had 11 more in the second period, pushing the margin to 55-42 at halftime.
Bryant exploded in the third quarter with 21 of his 42 points, including a three-pointer in the final minute that cut the deficit to 74-72.
“I took the responsibility to try and generate some energy and try to get us back in the game,” Bryant said.
But the Lakers got no closer. Paul answered with a layup to end the period and added two three-pointers in the fourth quarter to rebuild the lead to 89-78 with 8:11 to go.
“That’s why he’s the best point guard in the league,” Griffin said.
Paul made 12-of-22 shots and added six assists. With 4:01 remaining and the Clippers holding a 95-82 lead, he sat down with the injury and did not return.
“I don’t know what happened,” Paul said. “I thought it was a cramp.”
Bryant shot 14-of-28 but didn’t get much help as the Lakers (9-5) had their five-game winning streak snapped.
Billups scored 19 points and Caron Butler added 13 for the Clippers (6-3), who held a 50-42 advantage in rebounds.
Spanish star Pau Gasol had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Andrew Bynum had 12 and 16 for the Lakers, who have their chance to get even with their rivals on January 25.
Chicago 77, Toronto 64
The host Bulls won their fifth straight game behind Derrick Rose’s 18 points and 11 assists. The Raptors were without injured leading scorer Andrea Bargnani of Italy.