Clippers snap two-game losing streak with 101-96 win over the Pistons

Jamal Crawford might have had a quiet start this season, but without Chris Paul (groin) and J.J. Redick (back spasms) -- who average a combined 30.5 points a game -- it was the two-time sixth man of the year who helped fill their hole against Detroit on Saturday.

Crawford had 37 points in 40 minutes and Blake Griffin added 34 points to lead the Clippers to a 101-96 win over the Pistons at Staples Center, snapping a two-game losing skid.

Crawford, a reserve guard, entered Saturday’s game averaging 11 points a game, his lowest average since his third season in the league in 2002-03, when he averaged 10.7 points.

The Clippers trailed by as many as 17 points in the second quarter before they used a 13-3 third-quarter run -- fueled by Crawford and Griffin -- to take an 81-80 lead into the fourth quarter after Crawford made a driving finger-roll shot at the buzzer.

Saturday marked the fourth time in 10 Clippers games this season that the game-turning moments came in the final minute. Griffin made the difference down the stretch this time.

With 31.8 seconds left and the Clippers up by one point, 95-94, Griffin rebounded Paul Pierce’s missed three-point attempt and, as he was falling out of bounds, threw it off of a Pistons player to retain possession. Then Griffin made a jump shot to give the Clippers a three-point lead, 97-94, with 17.9 seconds left.

Crawford sealed the victory with four free throws in the final seven seconds of the game, as Reggie Jackson made two for the Pistons.

In addition to his season-high 37 points, Crawford had six rebounds and eight assists. Griffin flirted with a triple-double, getting eight rebounds and nine assists. Austin Rivers had 13 points and made a pivotal three-pointer with 2:34 left to give the Clippers a 93-90 lead. DeAndre Jordan had 16 rebounds to go along with 10 points.

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Clippers center DeAndre Jordan forces Pistons guard Reggie Jackson into a missed shot in the fourth quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers forward Blake Griffin battles for a loose ball with Pistons forward Ersan Ilyasova in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon at Staples Center.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Pistons center Andre Drummond loses control of the ball against Clippers forward Blake Griffin during a game at Staples Center on Nov. 14.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers forward Blake Griffin tries to cut off a drive by Pistons guard Reggie Jackson.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers forward Blake Griffin reacts after getting hit in the mouth during the second quarter of the game against the Pistons on Saturday afternoon.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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The Heat have not played a game in Detroit city limits in their first 29 seasons, with the Pistons playing in the northern suburbs. That changes with the move to the downtown Little Caesars Arena, with this the first of two Heat visits.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers guard Austin Rivers tries to score inside against Pistons center Andre Drummond in the first half.

  (Christine Cotter / Associated Press)

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Clippers guard Austin Rivers and Pistons forward Marcus Morris reach for a loose ball during the first half.

  (Christine Cotter / Associated Press)

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Clippers shooting guard Jamal Crawford makes a jumper over Pistons guard Steve Blake.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Jackson and Ersan Ilyasova each had 20 points for the Pistons, who lost for the third time in a row. Detroit center Andre Drummond finished with 18 points and 19 rebounds.

The Clippers entered Saturday’s game with a 5-4 record. They had the same record nine games into last season; then they won 11 of their next 12 games.

Paul and Redick will have time to rest, with the Clippers’ next game not until Thursday, when they host the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors.