Clippers surge in third quarter of 120-107 win over Suns

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Clippers power forward Blake Griffin tosses the ball after being called for traveling during a 120-107 win over the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on Saturday. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, left, pulls down a rebound in front of Phoenix Suns center Miles Plumlee during the Clippers’ 120-107 victory Saturday at Staples Center. (Harry How / Getty Images)

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Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe, front, reacts after making contact with Clippers guard Jamal Crawford during the first half of the Clippers’ 120-107 win Saturday at Staples Center. (Harry How / Getty Images)

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Clippers guard Reggie Bullock, left, loses control of the ball in front of Phoenix Suns teammates P.J. Tucker, center, and Gerald Green during the Clippers’ 120-107 win Saturday at Staples Center. (Harry How / Getty Images)

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Clippers power forward Blake Griffin, right, tries to work his way past Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris during the first half of the Clippers’ 120-107 win Saturday at Staples Center. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe, left, is called for a foul of Clippers point guard Chris Paul during the Clippers’ 120-107 victory Saturday at Staples Center. (Ringo Chiu / AFP/Getty Images)

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Clippers forward Spencer Hawes, right, tries to drive past Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris during the first half of the Clippers’ 120-107 win Saturday at Staples Center. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Clippers power forward Blake Griffin, right, controls the ball in front of Phoenix Suns teammates (from left to right) Markieff Morris, Miles Plumlee and Eric Bledsoe during the first half of Saturday’s game. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic, center, puts up a shot ahead of Clippers point guard Chris Paul during the first half of Saturday’s game. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Phoenix Suns center Miles Plumlee, left, drives past Clippers center DeAndre Jordan during the first half of Saturday’s game. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic dribbles against the Clippers on Saturday at Staples Center. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic, left, drives past Clippers point guard Chris Paul during the first half of Saturday’s game at Staples Center. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic, left, tries to drive past Clippers point guard Chris Paul during the first half of Saturday’s game. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Clippers point guard Chris Paul, left, tries to drive past Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas during the second half of the Clippers’ 120-107 victory at Staples Center on Saturday. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, left, grabs the ball away from Phoenix Suns forward Marcus Morris during the first half of Saturday’s game at Staples Center. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Clippers Coach Doc Rivers speaks with a referee during the first half of Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Clippers small forward Matt Barnes, right, controls the ball in front of Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic during the first half of Saturday’s game at Staples Center. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker, right, passes the ball around Clippers forward Spencer Hawes during the first half of Saturday’s game at Staples Center. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Clippers power forward Blake Griffin, right, drives on Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker during Saturday’s game at Staples Center. (Ringo Chiu / AFP/Getty Images)

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Clippers guard Jordan Farmar, left, looks to pass in front of Phoenix Suns center Miles Plumlee during the first half of the Clippers’ 120-107 win Saturday at Staples Center. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)

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Clippers center DeAndre Jordan dunks during the first half of Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. (Ringo Chiu / AFP/Getty Images)

By Melissa Rohlin

Nov. 15, 2014 10:16 PM PT

The Clippers entered Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Suns coming off of four days of relative rest (two practices, two off days). Clippers Coach Doc Rivers didn’t know how his team would respond -- rusty or rejuvenated.

The answer became clear in the third quarter, when the Clippers outscored the Suns, 42-20, turning a game that was tied 54-54 at halftime into a 120-107 win for the Clippers.

In the third quarter, the Clippers led by as many as 26 points, their biggest lead of the season. They got a little sloppy in the fourth quarter, though, allowing a charge led by Gerald Green and Isaiah Thomas to cut their lead to 11, but the Clippers quickly regained control.

Each of the Clippers’ starters finished in double figures. Chris Paul had 32 points and nine assists. Blake Griffin had 19 points and eight rebounds. DeAndre Jordan had 12 points, 18 rebounds and seven blocked shots. J.J. Redick had 14 points and Matt Barnes added 12.

In addition, Clippers reserve power forward/center Spencer Hawes, who has struggled recently because of a strained left foot, finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. He dunked the ball, charged down the lane drawing fouls, completed three-point plays and hit jump shots.

The Clippers shot better than the Suns, 52.9% to 38.4%, and outrebounded them, 47-43. It was the second consecutive game the Clippers won the battle of the boards. The Clippers also went to the free-throw line 43 times as the Suns only had 23 attempts.

Green led Phoenix with 26 points on 10-for-19 shooting.

Clippers surge in third quarter of 120-107 win over Suns

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