NBA GAME RECAP

Clippers dominate the Heat

The Sports Xchange

November 20, 2014 at 10:52 pm.

Nov 20, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket as Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) defends during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

MIAMI — Chris Paul had 26 points and a game-high 12 assists to help the Los Angeles Clippers dominate the Miami Heat 110-93 on Thursday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Clippers forward Blake Griffin added 26 points, while center DeAndre Jordan contributed 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Miami trailed by 24 points early, which set the franchise record for the largest first-quarter deficit ever in a home game. After that, Miami never got closer than 14 points.

The Clippers (7-4) are off to a 2-0 start on their seven-game road trip.

Miami (6-6) lost for the fourth time in its past five games.

Forward Chris Bosh led the Heat with a game-high 28 points, including 18 in the first half. Guard Mario Chalmers, who had led the Heat in scoring the past three games while replacing injured starter Dwyane Wade, was held to 13 points.

Heat starting point guard Norris Cole was scoreless in 10 minutes. He dislocated his left middle finger in the second quarter and did not return.

Early in the game, it was all Clippers. Los Angeles shot 68 percent in the first quarter, including 62.5 percent on 3-pointers (five of eight), and held Miami to 36.8 percent from the floor. Miami missed all five of its 3-pointers.

Given those numbers, and a 12-4 rebounding edge, the result was predictable: a 39-15 Clippers lead.

The Clippers had their lead cut to 58-40 at halftime. Still, Los Angeles got a variety of dunks and layups, outscoring Miami 30-14 in the lane in the first half. Ten of those points came on lobs.

Los Angeles extended its lead to 88-66 after three quarters.

NOTES: Clippers G Jamal Crawford leads the NBA in bench scoring. … The Heat, which hadn’t played since Monday, were the more rested team. But the Clippers got to rest their starters in the fourth quarter of a 114-90 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. … Heat PG Norris Cole played his 160th consecutive game, which ranks third best in franchise history behind former standouts Grant Long (161) and Glen Rice (174). … Heat G Dwyane Wade (hamstring) missed his fourth straight game. Before he got hurt, he averaged 19.6 points and 6.4 assists. The last time he had a season in which he averaged more assists was 2009-2010 (6.5). … Heat Fs Luol Deng (wrist) and Josh McRoberts (foot) returned from injuries after missing two and three games, respectively. … Up next, the Heat play at the Orlando Magic on Saturday. … The Clippers’ seven-game road trip continues with their third stop on Sunday at the Memphis Grizzlies.