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 "No disrespect to the Lakers, that's a very good team, but right
now we want to accomplish something big," the Clippers guard said.
For the second time in as many meetings, the Clippers dealt the
Lakers a massive beating.
The Clippers had eight players score in double figures en route to a
142-94 blowout of the Lakers on Thursday night at Staples Center.
The 48-point margin was the worst defeat in Lakers history and the
largest win in Clippers history. The 142 points were a season high
for the Clippers.
Collison scored 24 points to lead the Clippers, who won their sixth
consecutive game.
The Lakers (21-41) fell for the second consecutive game and the
ninth time in 12 games. They are 10-20 at home.
"I thought we did a good job of pushing the lead up," said Collison,
who shot 9-for-16 from the floor. "It shows that we have growth.
Regardless of who we were playing, we all thought this was about
us."
Forward Blake Griffin finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and seven
assists, and forward Matt Barnes added 17 points, 12 rebounds and
five assists for the Clippers. Point guard Chris Paul had 13 points
and 11 assists, and center DeAndre Jordan scored 14 points and
grabbed 12 rebounds.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers removed all of his starters before the end
of the third quarter.
"I think for three or four or five games in a row now, at some
point, our defense has clicked on," Rivers said. "And that was the
difference, really."
The Clippers (43-20) led by as many as 51 points.
The Clippers drilled the Lakers 123-87 in their previous meeting
Jan. 10. It was, until Thursday's blowout, the largest Clippers rout
of the Lakers since the clubs began playing each other.
This game was much like the last one.
"In the first quarter, I thought we played really well, then we took
a body blow, and it looked like it just took us to our knees,"
Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said.
The Clippers blew the game open in the second quarter. They enjoyed
a 29-4 run, and they took a 58-31 lead after a dunk by Griffin. The
Clippers outscored the Lakers 44-13 in the quarter for a 73-40
advantage at the half. They also outrebounded the Lakers 22-5 in the
second period. Overall, the Clippers had a 64-33 edge on the boards,
including a 16-4 difference on the offensive end.
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Collison outscored the entire Lakers team 14-13 in the second
quarter.
Collison said the Lakers' 116-103 victory in the season opener
between the teams in October provided additional motivation for the
Clippers in the past two meetings.
"We can say that we never looked at that (or) that it never crossed
our mind, but it did a little bit," Collison said. "But at the same
time, we knew this game was about us. Even when we came into the
second half, when we were up by 20-plus points, we were telling each
other that this is all about us."
The Lakers led by seven points in the first quarter before the
Clippers took control. Despite committing 10 turnovers to six for
the Lakers in the first quarter, the Clippers held a 29-27 lead
heading into the second.
Center Pau Gasol scored 21 points and had seven rebounds for the
Lakers, while forward Xavier Henry had 15 points.
"You have to move on," Gasol said. "You cannot focus and dwell on
this game or it will really get you down. You just have to move on
and understand."
NOTES: The Clippers outscored the Lakers 26-7 in fast-break points
in the first half, including a 19-0 run in the second quarter. ...
Clippers G Jamal Crawford missed his third consecutive game with a
strained left calf. Clippers coach Doc Rivers said Crawford could
return for Saturday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks. ...
Clippers F Jared Dudley sat out due to back spasms. ... Lakers F
Jordan Hill did not play because of a sore right knee. Hill is
listed as day-to-day. ... The Clippers are 29-4 when leading after
the second quarter. ... The Lakers fell to 22-8 all-time as the home
team at Staples Center against the Clippers. ... The Lakers visit
the Denver Nuggets on Friday before hosting the Oklahoma City
Thunder on Sunday.
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