Clippers win seventh in a row with 119-106 victory over the Celtics
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan pulls down a rebound against Celtics forward Evan Turner in the first half.
The Clippers won their seventh game in a row and swept a three-game road trip with a 119-106 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
The Clippers, who were resting their starters in the fourth quarter, led by as many as 27 points in the final 12 minutes before the Celtics went on a run to cut the deficit to 14, 111-97, with 4 minutes 16 seconds left, prompting Clippers’ Coach Doc Rivers to insert the starters.
With the starters back in, the Clippers regained control. The Celtics came to within 11 points, but could not complete the comeback.
J.J. Redick led the Clippers with 27 points on 11-for-15 shooting, making five of his six three-point shots. It was the 15th straight game that he’s scored 15 or more points.
Blake Griffin had 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Chris Paul had 21 points, making three of his four three-point attempts, and 10 assists.
Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 19 points and seven assists.
The Clippers, who have eight games left to play in the regular season, clinched a playoff spot on Friday. They are in fifth place in the Western Conference with a record of 49-25. The Celtics (32-41) fell to ninth place in the Eastern Conference, half a game behind the eighth-place Brooklyn Nets for the final playoff spot.
The Clippers had a 21-point lead at halftime, 68-47, and led by more than 30 points in the third quarter.
It was their third straight lopsided win -- they had a 111-80 victory over the Knicks on Wednesday and a 119-98 win over the 76ers on Friday. In those two games, no Clippers starter played more than 30 minutes.
The Clippers outshot the Celtics from the field, 48.8% to 41.9%, and from beyond the three-point line, 40.6% to 25.8%. They outrebounded the Celtics, 53-40. And the Clippers were awarded 40 free throws, while the Celtics had only 23.
With the win, the Clippers swept their season series against the Boston Celtics, having beaten them, 102-93, on Jan. 19.
The Clippers now return home to host the Golden State Warriors, who are in first place in the Western Conference, on Tuesday.
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