Clippers blow out Bobcats 106-84

[February 27, 2013]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Blake Griffin scored 24 points, keying a decisive second-quarter burst that put the Clippers in command, and Los Angeles beat the Charlotte Bobcats 106-84 on Tuesday night to improve to 23-6 at home.

Matt Barnes added 17 points off the bench, Caron Butler had 16 points, DeAndre Jordan 13, and Chris Paul had 13 of the Clippers' season-high 34 assists for their sixth win in seven games. The Bobcats managed just 17 assists.

Gerald Henderson tied his season high with 24 points and Kemba Walker had 15 points for the Bobcats, who have lost four straight and 12 of 14. The NBA's worst team fell to 7-23 on the road.

The Clippers put together a 21-6 run over the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth that extended their lead to 91-63 -- largest of the game. Lamar Odom ended the third with a 3-pointer and opened the fourth with another for six points in the spurt. Griffin had five points and Grant Hill three.

Griffin was involved in two highlights during that stretch. Jordan blocked a shot, Paul grabbed the ball and fed Griffin on the break for a left-handed dunk and a foul that resulted in a three-point play. Barnes set Griffin up on the break with an alley-oop pass that the All-Star converted into a layup.

The Clippers rallied with a 15-2 run to take a 54-45 lead going into halftime. Jordan scored their first five points, including a fast-break dunk off Chauncey Billups' behind-the-back pass that gave the Clippers their first lead since the game's opening basket.

Butler hit a 3-pointer and Griffin scored the final seven points. Paul fed Griffin for two straight alley-oop dunks and Griffin closed things out with a fast-break driving dunk.

Charlotte controlled the first quarter, shooting 59 percent to lead 30-24. Henderson had 10 of his team's first 14 points.

NOTES: The Bobcats finished the month of February with just two wins (over Boston and Orlando). ... Clippers backup G Jamal Crawford had the night off after his wife gave birth to their daughter, London Faith, on Monday in Seattle. He will rejoin the team for its game at Indiana on Thursday. ... Clippers reserve G Eric Bledsoe sat out with a sore left calf he injured last week against San Antonio. He's day-to-day. ... The Bobcats haven't beaten the Clippers in Los Angeles since Feb. 28, 2009.

[Associated Press; By BETH HARRIS]

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