LOS ANGELES — Blake Griffin scored 22 of his season-high 37 points in the second half as the Los Angeles Clippers repelled the Sacramento Kings 114-109 on Saturday night at the Staples Center.
J.J. Redick contributed 23 points, Chris Paul added 17 points and 11 assists and DeAndre Jordan amassed season bests of 17 rebounds and six blocks to go with 15 points as the Clippers (3-0) extended their best start since the 1985-86 season, when they began with four consecutive wins.
Rajon Rondo led the Kings (1-2) with 21 points and eight assists. Rudy Gay added 20 points and DeMarcus Cousins finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Los Angeles, which led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, used an 8-0 spurt to turn a 96-95 deficit into a 103-96 lead with 4:28 to play. Griffin scored six points during the spree.
The Kings moved within 110-107 on Darren Collison’s lay-in with 1:11 remaining, then had a chance to tie the score nearly 40 seconds later. But Gay’s 3-point attempt hit the rim and Jordan grabbed the rebound. Sacramento’s Kosta Koufos then fouled Griffin, who made both free throws with 17.7 seconds left to build a 112-107 lead.
Sacramento took early control. Cousins scored eight points during an 11-5 surge that gave the Kings a 19-14 lead. Los Angeles tied the score at 24, but the Kings scored the final seven points of the first quarter and the first four of the second quarter to build a 35-24
advantage.
But with the visitors leading 48-37, the Clippers made their move. Paul and Jordan scored six points apiece during a 22-7 blitz that put the hosts ahead 59-55 at halftime. The Kings made only two baskets while scoring just seven points in the final 4:53 of the half.
Griffin scored eight points in a span of 2:29 during the third quarter as the Clippers expanded the margin to 80-68 with 4:43 left in the quarter. Sacramento responded with an 11-3 spree and narrowed the deficit to 83-79 on Marco Belinelli’s long 3-point shot with 2.7 seconds remaining in the quarter.
NOTES: The Kings’ 80 points in the lane Friday night was the most for the team since the NBA started tabulating the statistic 20 years ago, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Sacramento scored those 80 points in a 132-144 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. … Clippers C DeAndre Jordan played in his 325th consecutive game, the longest active streak among current players. … Jordan needs 23 rebounds to become the team’s all-time leader. Jordan had 4,688. Elton Brand is the Clippers’ career leader with 4,710.