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 On Sunday afternoon, the Clippers showed that they could win with
a slower, grittier style. Guard Chris Paul scored 28 points to lead
Los Angeles to a 96-86 win against the Chicago Bulls.
"Those are playoff-pace games," Rivers said. "You've got to have
your little spurt and hang in there defensively. I think it's really
good for us."
Guard Jamal Crawford added 16 points for the Clippers (39-21), who
earned their sixth win in the past eight games. Clippers center
DeAndre Jordan scored nine points and pulled down 26 rebounds,
including 17 in the first half, to mark his eighth consecutive game
with at least 15 boards.
Rookie forward Nikola Mirotic came off the bench to lead Chicago
with a career-high 29 points on 11-for-23 shooting. Guard Aaron
Brooks added 14 points for the Bulls (37-23).
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said the game turned in the fourth
quarter. Los Angeles outscored the Bulls 18-8 in the final seven
minutes to secure the victory.
"You've just got to find a way to win," said Thibodeau, whose team
fell to 1-2 since a knee injury to point guard Derrick Rose. "That
game was winnable down the stretch. We didn't get it done."
 Nowhere was the Clippers' determination more evident than on the
glass.
Jordan limited Bulls forward Pau Gasol to four points on 2-for-13
shooting. Meanwhile, Bulls center Joakim Noah made two of eight
shots from the field as the Bulls finished with a season-worst field
goal percentage of 31 percent (27 of 87).
Rivers said it was a luxury to trust Jordan with one-on-one defense
in the post.
"He gets every rebound," Rivers said. "Even if he doesn't get it, it
takes two guys to keep him off, and it allows the other guys to get
rebounds. He's clearly very important for us."
Los Angeles shot 43.7 percent (38 of 87) from the field. Crawford
ignited the Clippers in the fourth quarter with 10 points, including
a 21-foot jump shot that broke a 78-78 tie with 6:58 remaining.
Crawford credited forward Spencer Hawes for inspiring his late-game
run.
"Spencer reminded me that the fourth quarter was my time to get
going," Crawford said. "I'm always comfortable in that situation, no
matter what I'm shooting. My teammates and the coaching staff give
me a lot of confidence. I like my chances in the fourth quarter."
Despite poor shooting, the Bulls led by as many as eight points in
the third quarter before the Clippers rallied to tie the score at 69
entering the fourth. Brooks and forward Tony Snell each scored 10
points in the third quarter for Chicago, which opened the second
half on a 20-10 run.
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Los Angeles led 43-41 at the end of a back-and-forth first half that
featured four ties and eight lead changes. Mirotic provided a boost
with 11 points in the second quarter, including a 3-pointer and a
slam dunk on a fast-break feed from forward Jimmy Butler.
Mirotic said he hoped the game would give him momentum for the final
quarter of the season.
"I'm always trying to be positive," Mirotic said. "I know that
before this game, I was not shooting really well with the ball.
Today was a good day. I think with time I'm going to get more
confidence."
The Clippers finished the first quarter with a 26-18 advantage after
leading by as many as 11 points in the first 10 minutes. Paul
sparked a 17-6 run for Los Angeles by hitting a pair of jump shots
and snapping a pass to forward Glen Davis for an uncontested layup.
Chicago's injury woes continued as Butler hyperextended his left
elbow in the third quarter and did not return. Thibodeau said an MRI
was scheduled for Monday on Butler's elbow.
Meanwhile, the Clippers lost forward Matt Barnes to a hamstring
injury.
"It didn't look good, to be honest," Rivers said.
NOTES: Bulls F Taj Gibson did not play because of a left ankle
injury that he sustained Friday against Minnesota. Gibson's status
is uncertain for Tuesday's game against the Washington Wizards. ...
Clippers F Blake Griffin missed his ninth consecutive game because
of surgery on his right elbow. ... Bulls F Pau Gasol returned to the
starting lineup after missing Friday's game because of an illness.
... Clippers C DeAndre Jordan played in his 300th consecutive game,
which is the longest active streak in the NBA. "I don't think he's
missed a practice since I've had him, which I think is even more
impressive," coach Doc Rivers said. ... Bulls G Derrick Rose missed
his third straight game because of surgery on his right knee. Rose
is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
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