Former Clipper Caron Butler came up big for Thunder in Game 3

In July, the Clippers traded Caron Butler to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal that brought J.J. Redick from Milwaukee and Jared Dudley from the Phoenix Suns to L.A.

Butler was eventually bought out by the Bucks, and he signed as a free agent with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Butler played a big role for the Thunder in the fourth quarter Friday night, when Oklahoma City rallied to defeat the Clippers, 118-112, to take a two-games-to-one lead in the best-of-seven playoff series.

“Caron hit a couple [of] big shots there down the stretch,” Clippers guard Chris Paul said after the loss.

Butler scored nine points in the fourth quarter, making three of four shots from behind the three-point line. He finished with 14 points in 22 1/2 minutes off the bench.

“Caron was doing a great job of spacing,” NBA MVP Kevin Durant said after the Thunder win. “He did what he’s been doing for a while, knocking down those shots. We trust him to hit those shots. We’re always going to go to him no matter what if he’s open.”

Butler has played for seven NBA teams, including one season with the Lakers in 2004-05 and two for the Clippers, with whom he signed in 2011 and averaged 11.1 points in 141 games.

Through 10 postseason games with Oklahoma City, Butler has averaged 7.5 points while shooting 41% (16 for 39) from three-point range.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.