Clippers overcome bad shooting night to beat the Warriors, 100-86

The Clippers won their eighth consecutive home game, beating the Golden State Warriors, 100-86, on Christmas evening at Staples Center.

The Clippers outscored the Warriors, 27-16, in the fourth quarter. L.A. led by as many as 20 points in the final quarter after Jamal Crawford made a three-pointer with less than three minutes left.

The beginning of the game told a very different story.

The Clippers began the game ice cold, shooting just 16.7% from the field in the first quarter. At halftime, the Warriors had outshot them, 45% to 27.7%, yet the Clippers were only down, 42-41, mainly because of their free-throw shooting.

Chris Paul had a great third quarter, helping the Clippers take as much as a seven-point lead. Paul made contested layups and three-pointers as well as beautiful penetration drives against Stephen Curry. The Clippers entered the fourth quarter ahead 73-70.

The Clippers entered Thursday’s game having lost three of their last four, including five consecutive away games.

The Clippers (20-10) are now tied for fifth place in the Western Conference, 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Warriors (23-5), the team they eliminated in seven games last spring in the first round of the playoffs.

Through the Clippers early shooting woes, their free-throw shooting kept them alive. The Clippers made 23 of their 31 attempts. The Warriors made only 12 of their 22 shots from the charity stripe.

Crawford finished with 24 points on eight-for-18 shooting. Chris Paul had 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Blake Griffin finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds, while DeAndre Jordan contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 15 points.

The Warriors outshot the Clippers from the field, 42.5% to 39.1%. The Clippers, however, out-rebounded the Warriors, 50-44.