Clippers defeat the Raptors, 103-91
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In front of a sold out crowd of 19,060 at Staples Center, the Clippers beat the Raptors, 103-91.
It was a one-sided victory in which the Clippers never trailed and led by as many as 22 points.
They improved to 9-5 in their fifth game without All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who has been sidelined with a left hamstring sprain.
While the Clippers rested their starters, Mo Williams had a huge fourth quarter, scoring 19 points to finish the game with a team-leading 26 points on eight-for-15 shooting, including three for six from the three-point range.
The Raptors cut their deficit to 13 points at 86-73 with 8:14 left after Leandro Barbosa was shoved out of bounds by Chauncey Billups, who picked up a flagrant foul on the play.
Barbosa made both of his free throws, then hit a three-pointer on their ensuing possession.
But the Raptors couldn’t get to within single digits.
Blake Griffin had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers. DeAndre Jordan had 16 points on seven-for-nine shooting, 16 rebounds and two blocks, all without playing in the fourth quarter.
Caron Butler, who missed Friday’s game with a hyperextended right knee, and Randy Foye added 15 points apiece.
Clippers fans celebrated the victory by doing a stadium-wide wave for nearly a minute.
Barbosa led the Raptors with 19 points.
The Clippers have two days off before playing the Lakers on Wednesday.
Clippers 76, Raptors 58 (end of third quarter)
The Clippers extended their lead to 22 points early in the third quarter behind seven points from Randy Foye, solid shooting from Blake Griffin and a highlight reel dunk from DeAndre Jordan.
The Raptors tried unsuccessfully to chip away at the deficit, but are shooting a dismal 31.3% from the field. After three quarters, the Clippers maintained an 18-point lead, 76-58.
Griffin leads all scorers with 18 points and he has nine rebounds. Jordan had 16 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.
Clippers 49, Raptors 37 (halftime)
While Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Randy Foye were resting at the top of the second quarter, the Raptors went on a 7-0 run to reduce the Clippers’ lead to seven points.
That’s the closest the Raptors came before halftime, which the Clippers entered with a 49-37 advantage.
Caron Butler, who missed the Clippers’ game against Minnesota on Friday because of a hyperextended right knee, had a strong second-quarter performance. He has a game-high 15 points on six-for-nine shooting.
Jordan has a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Griffin has 11 points and a quiet four rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan leads the Raptors with 10 points while Leandro Barbosa has nine.
Clippers 27, Raptors 11 (end of first quarter)
The Clippers opened the game against Toronto in true Lob City fashion. The first play: Randy Foye tossed the ball to Blake Griffin for a jam. The Clippers’ second possession: Chauncey Billups dished the ball to DeAndre Jordan for a dunk.
The Clippers finished the first quarter with a 27-11 lead.
They outshot a scrambling and out of sorts Raptors team 50% to 25% and were three for five from the three-point line. The Raptors, who were missing lay-ups and mistiming passes, had seven turnovers.
Jordan led the Clippers with 10 points, nine rebounds and one blocked shot.
Chris Paul was sidelined, missing his fifth consecutive game because of a strained left hamstring.
-- Melissa Rohlin