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Clippers 112, Pistons 103
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
LOS ANGELES — Point guard Chris Paul scored 28 points, dished out 15 assists and recorded a season-high six steals, leadoing the Los Angeles Clipppers to a 112-103 victory over the struggling Detroit Pistons on Saturday night at Staples Center.
Forward Blake Griffin added 25 points and seven rebounds for the Clippers (49-21), who won 12 of their last 13 contests. They handed Detroit its fifth straight defeat and its eighth setback in the past nine games. The Pistons (25-44) also dropped 13 in a row on the road.
Griffin, who connected on 12-of-17 shooting from the floor, scored at least 20 points for the 28th consecutive contest.
Forwards Matt Barnes and Danny Granger, who had a four-point play in the final period, scored 14 points apiece for Los Angeles, while center DeAndre Jordan finished with 12 rebounds and five blocks to go along with nine points.
The Clippers took control in the third, opening the quarter with 20-5 run for a 76-61 lead after a dunk by Griffin with 3:20 left. They outscored Detroit 24-14 for an 80-70 advantage at the end of the quarter.
The Pistons sliced Los Angeles’ lead to six late in the game, but the Clippers held them off.
The Pistons outscored the Clippers 29-20 in the second quarter to cut Los Angeles’ lead to 56-55 at intermission. Both teams shot well in the first half, with the Clippers hitting 54.8 percent (23 of 42) from the field compared to 51.1 percent (24 of 47) for Detroit. Overall, the Clippers shot 54.2 percent (45 of 83) to 45.2 percent (42 of 93) for the Pistons.
Reserve forward Jonas Jerebko led the Pistons with 22 points, while point guard Brandon Jennings, who topped 6,000 career points in the third quarter, had 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Center Andre Drummond finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
NOTES: Clippers G J.J. Redick is “working his way” back after two productive practices this week, coach Doc Rivers said. There is no timetable for the return of Redick, who has missed 19 consecutive games with a bulging disc in his back. … Los Angeles F Blake Griffin led the league with the most fouls drawn (516) entering the game, well ahead of Houston’s Dwight Howard (449) and Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins (448). … Clippers PG Chris Paul recorded his 6,000 assist, setting up Griffin for a bucket in the first quarter. … Detroit ranked first in the league in points in the paint at 52.6 points per game entering the contest. … The Pistons conclude their four-game road trip on Monday against the Utah Jazz before hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. … Los Angeles hosts the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.
