The Clippers won their sixth game in a row and their first game of an eight-game trip by beating the Utah Jazz, 94-89, on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.
The Clippers took a 90-85 lead with 3 minutes 6 seconds to play after Chris Paul made a 17-foot jump shot. They kept the lead behind aggressive play from Blake Griffin, who had seven points in the final four minutes. DeAndre Jordan and Matt Barnes had big blocks down the stretch.
“It was a team effort,” Paul told Prime Ticket. “The team fought really hard.”
Paul finished with 21 points, six assists and five rebounds. Jamal Crawford, who started in place of J.J. Redick, had 21 points, including four three-point baskets. Redick sat out because of back spasms. Griffin had 17 points and seven rebounds. Jordan had nine points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots.
The Clippers trailed, 72-68, after three quarters.
“We just imposed our will a little bit,” Paul said.
The Clippers trailed by as many as seven points and were outrebounded, 47-37. They swept the season series with the Jazz.
Austin Rivers had his best game as a Clipper, scoring 12 points on five-for-eight shooting, including two three-pointers.
The Clippers play the Pelicans at New Orleans on Friday at 5 p.m. PST.
Follow Melissa Rohlin on Twitter @melissarohlin
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