Clippers get much-needed win against New Orleans, 111-90

The Clippers got a much-needed win. The Pelicans avoided adding serious injury to the insult of another loss.

In the Clippers’ 111-90 victory over the Pelicans on Friday at Staples Center, New Orleans All-Star forward Anthony Davis had to be carried off of the court by two people late in the third quarter after he collided with Chris Paul. Davis fell to the floor, clutching his right leg.

The injury, however, appeared to be much less serious than it initially seemed. The Pelicans said Davis had a right knee contusion, and he returned to the team’s bench midway through the fourth quarter, his availability listed as questionable. Davis did not return to play.

The Clippers led by as many as 25 points in a game they dominated from the start. It was a necessary morale boost for a team that had lost eight of its last 11 games.

Four players finished in double figures for the Clippers. Blake Griffin had 20 points on seven-for-15 shooting, six rebounds and six assists. J.J. Redick had 20 points on eight-for-14 shooting. Paul finished with 17 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Reserve Austin Rivers had 17 points on seven-for-11 shooting.

Jamal Crawford hit a career milestone Friday, passing Juwan Howard for No. 100 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list after he made a pair of free throws with 2 minutes 48 seconds left in the third quarter. Crawford finished with nine points.

Davis, who had already missed three games this season because of injury, had 17 points on seven-for-16 shooting and six rebounds in 28 minutes. He had at least 20 points and 17 rebounds in the New Orleans’ last three games.

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Clippers guard J.J. Redick beats Pelicans forward Alonzo Gee on a drive during their game Friday night.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers point guard Chris Paul, right, battles for a rebound along with teammates Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan as well as Pelicans guard Toney Douglas in the second half Friday night.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Pelicans forward Anthony Davis holds his right ankle after colliding with Clippers point guard Chris Paul and falling to the court.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers forward Josh Smith protects the ball from the reach of Pelicans guard Toney Douglas while driving to the basket in the second half.

  (PAUL BUCK / EPA)

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Clippers forward Blake Griffin loses his balance after Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson was called for a blocking foul in the first half Friday at Staples Center.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers forward Blake Griffin falls to the court after Pelicans center Anthony Davis is called for a charging foul.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers forward Lance Stephenson grabs control of a loose ball in front of Pelicans forward Alonzo Gee in the first half of a game Friday, Nov. 27.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Pelicans guard Eric Gordon attempts a shot over Clippers forward Blake Griffin in the first half.

  (Paul Buck / EPA)

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Clippers point guard Chris Paul passes the ball while under pressure by Pelicans guard Eric Gordon (10) and center Anthony Davis (23) in the first half.

  (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

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Clippers guard Austin Rivers gets past Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt for a layup in the first half.

  (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

Eric Gordon added 16 points for the Pelicans, a playofff team last season that has struggled to a 4-12 start. Ish Smith had 15 points, though it took him 20 shots to get them. He also had 10 assists.

The Clippers outshot the Pelicans from the field, 48.2% to 36.2%, and from beyond the three-point arc, 36.8% to 25%.

With the win, the Clippers improved to .500 with a record of 8-8. They’ve split their first two games of their six-game homestand, and next host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday afternoon.