LOS ANGELES — Blake Griffin scored 26 points and led four Los Angeles players in double-digit scoring and the Clippers used a strong fourth quarter performance to beat the Boston Celtics 116-102 in the NBA on Monday night.
Griffin, who shot 8-of-15 from the floor and made 9-of-10 from the free throw line, also grabbed eight rebounds in the win.
Star point guard Chris Paul shot 8-of-14 from the field on his way to putting out 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Clippers (38-25), who improved to 20-10 at home this season.
Jamal Crawford hit four 3-pointers in adding 19 points in another streaking performance off the bench.
“I think I’m at my best whenever I’m just not thinking,” said Crawford, who scored 17 of his total points in the second half. “I’m just relaxed.
“I’m just playing, just hooping. It’s just basketball. I’ve done it my whole life.
“I’ve always said when you’re at your best in the NBA it feels like you’re like high school because your true game comes out.”
DeAndre Jordan ended with 15 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for Los Angeles, which outscored Boston 73-56 in the second half.
Jordan went 6-for-7 from the field, but made only three of his 16 attempts from the free throw line for 18.8 percent.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, this was the lowest free throw percentage in a game with at least 15 tries for any NBA player in almost 27 years.
Isaiah Thomas was 10-of-19 in shooting on his way to scoring 32 points with five assists and three steals to lead Celtics, who struggled from 3-pointers after going just 10-for-35 from long-range and had one of their worst shooting performances of the season.
“I don’t think our shot selection has been great for a couple of games now, but I also think they really defended us well and took some things away,” said Celtics coach Brad Stevens.
Marcus Smart added 21 points off the bench and Avery Bradley scored 14 for Boston (40-24).
A frustrated Thomas told reporters after the road defeat the Boston throw the game away.
When asked about reason for frustration, the All-Star point guard said: “Everything. We should have won this game. We should have won last night.
“We can’t be experimenting in Game 63.”
He added: “We have to figure it out. We will. We can’t panic, but tonight hurt. It hurt me. I know that.”
UP NEXT
Boston visits Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
Los Angeles Clippers are at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
