PHILADELPHIA – Some of the Los Angeles Clippers’ players were practicing a variety of high-flying dunks during pregame warmups. The fun continued when the real game tipped off.
Chris Paul had 21 points and 11 assists, Blake Griffin scored 20 points and the Clippers dunked their way to a 107-90 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
Jamal Crawford also scored 20 points and Matt Barnes had 11 for the Pacific Division-leading Clippers. Eric Bledsoe scored 10 points while DeAndre Jordan grabbed 10 rebounds.
“We were out there having fun,” said Jordan, who watched some of those highlight-reel dunks on an iPad in the locker room. “When we’re active and moving the ball, good things happen. I think dunks and layups come when we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing on offense.”
Los Angeles closed out its season-high eight-game road trip at 4-4, including consecutive wins at New York and Philadelphia.
Bobcats 94, Celtics 91
In Charlotte, Byron Mullens had 25 points and 18 rebounds, and the Bobcats defeated Boston to snap the Celtics’ seven-game winning streak.
Kevin Garnett had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Boston, but missed a key 5.5-meter shot that would have given the Celtics the lead late in the game.
Timberwolves 100, Cavaliers 92
In Cleveland, Luke Ridnour scored 21 points, Ricky Rubio added 13 and 10 assists and Minnesota snapped an eight-game road losing streak.
Ridnour dropped a critical 3-pointer with 1:43 left for the banged-up Timberwolves, who hadn’t won on the road since Jan. 3 — star center Kevin Love’s last game before he was lost indefinitely with a broken hand.
Nets 89, Pacers 84 (OT)
In Indianapolis, Brook Lopez scored 25 points and Brooklyn opened overtime on a 9-3 run to pull away from the Pacers.
The Nets ended a five-game losing streak at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and won for just the second time in games overall despite playing without injured guard Deron Williams.
Hornets 105, Pistons 86
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Ryan Anderson scored 31 points, Robin Lopez had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and New Orleans won for the third time in eight games.
The Hornets had lost of five of seven coming in, but were in control for the final 40 minutes even though Eric Gordon sat out to rest his knee. Wearing its purple, green and gold Mardi Gras jerseys, New Orleans finished with 10 blocks to just three for the Pistons.
Wizards 102, Bucks 90
In Milwaukee, rookie Brandon Beal scored a season-high 28 points to help Washington to a rare road win.
The Wizards have won four consecutive games and 11 of 18. They are 10-7 since John Wall returned from injury and won for only the fourth time in 25 road games this year.
Spurs 103, Bulls 89
In Chicago, Kawhi Leonard had a career-high 26 points and Danny Green scored 18 to help San Antonio beat the Bulls without their three biggest stars.
Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili were all out with injuries, and swingman Stephen Jackson also missed the game due to “personal business,” according to the team.
Hawks 105, Mavericks 101
In Dallas, Josh Smith had 26 points and 13 rebounds and Devin Harris made a key steal in the final minute for Atlanta.
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