Clippers lead Phoenix, 43-41, at halftime

The Clippers, who are trying to string together their first three-game win streak since late January, have a 43-41 halftime lead over Phoenix.

They opened the game with lackadaisical defense, allowing Phoenix to penetrate for a few open dunks and layups and build a seven-point lead.

Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro called a timeout with the Clippers trailing, 15-8, with six minutes and 31 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Whatever he said seemed to work. The Clippers began closing lanes and hustling. They tied the game at 15 with just over five minutes left in the first quarter and entered the second quarter trailing, 27-24.

In the second quarter, the Suns simply couldn’t make a shot.

They didn’t score a field goal for the first nine minutes, shooting a dismal 0 for 13 from the field during that time. Then, with 2:59 left, Jared Dudley shot a layup and DeAndre Jordan was charged with goal-tending, giving Phoenix its first field goal of the quarter.

The Suns shot 15.7% in the second quarter. The Clippers, however, didn’t exactly have a hot hand either. They shot 27.7%.

Eric Bledsoe and Bobby Simmons gave the Clippers a boost from the bench, making layups on consecutive possessions.

Griffin leads the Clippers with 12 points, all of which he scored in the first quarter. DeAndre Jordan has 11 points and three rebounds. Caron Butler has seven points.

This is the second consecutive game that the Clippers are playing Phoenix without Grant Hill, who was sidelined Wednesday because of right knee inflammation.

The last time the Clippers played the Suns at home, the Clippers lost, 91-87.

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Clippers lead Phoenix, 43-41, at halftime