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Clippers beat Houston Rockets, 110-95, on their way to All-Star break

Chris Paul had 12 points and 12 assists in the Clippers' 110-95 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at Staples Center.
(Frederic J. Brown / Getty Images)
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The Clippers will enter the All-Star break on a high note after beating the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Wednesday, 110-95.

It was their first home game after an eight-game trip, over which they went 3-5, and their final game before the All-Star break, which extends from Feb. 12-18 for the team.

The game featured 14 lead changes and 14 ties, the Clippers taking their biggest lead in the fourth quarter at 15 points, 110-95, after DeAndre Jordan tipped the ball in with 38.8 seconds left.

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The Clippers, who entered the fourth quarter with an 80-79 advantage, outscored the Rockets in the final 12 minutes, 28-16.

Each of the Clippers’ starters scored in double figures.

Jordan led the team with a season-high 24 points and 20 rebounds, his second consecutive 20-20 performance and third in his career.

Jordan shot more free throws (26) than the entire Rockets team (22), making 12 of his attempts.

J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford each had 20 points and Chris Paul had 12 points and 12 assists for the Clippers.

The Clippers were playing without Blake Griffin, who is sidelined for at least three weeks after having surgery Monday to remove a staph infection in his right elbow.

Griffin was at Wednesday’s game, cheering from the bench with a splint on his arm. The Clippers are 2-1 so far without their superstar power forward.

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The Rockets, who were playing without Dwight Howard (knee), were led by Josh Smith (21 points and 13 rebounds) and Corey Brewer (22 points). James Harden had just nine points on three-for-12 shooting

The Clippers outshot the Rockets, 48.1% to 39.1%, and outrebounded them, 49-41.

It was the Clippers’ sixth straight win over Houston, which dropped from third to fourth place in the Western Conference with a record of 36-17, 1 1/2 games ahead of the sixth-place Clippers (35-19).

Follow Melissa Rohlin on Twitter @melissarohlin

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