National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
L.A. Clippers 103, Denver 95
When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Officials: #52 Scott Twardoski, #57 Greg Willard, #40 Leon Wood
Attendance: 19163

CLIPPERS 103, NUGGETS 95: Chris Paul scored a season-high 36 points and had nine assists and Blake Griffin had 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Clippers past visiting Denver.

Paul was 11 of 16 from the field and made 11 of 12 free throws.

The Clippers led 89-83 but Denver used a 7-0 run to take back the lead, 90-89 with 7:26 left. That was the final field goal the Nuggets (18-16) made as they missed their final 13 shots. Griffin scored six of the Clippers final 12 points as they pulled away.

DeAndre Jordan grabbed 16 rebounds and scored 10 for the Clippers (20-11), who avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season.

Jordan Hamilton had his best game of the season for the Nuggets, scoring a season-best 18 points, including 4 of 5 on 3-pointers, and grabbing seven rebounds.

Denver's Arron Afflalo had 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

Nuggets reserve Al Harrington had 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kenneth Faried had 12 points and nine rebounds.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said he is pleased overall with the Clippers as they heading into the All-Star break. "I'm pleased with the way the guys have kind of tried to come together with a lot of moving parts," Del Negro said. "I think overall the guys have really stayed together and grinded some wins out for us, which has put us in a good position." ... Nene (calf injury) has played in just 23 of Denver's 34 games and might not be 100 percent healthy until next season, according to coach George Karl. ... Los Angeles' Mo Williams was just 2 of 16 and made just 1 of 9 3-pointers.
Top Game Performances
 
Denver   L.A. Clippers
Arron Afflalo 20 Scoring Chris Paul 36
Andre Miller 8 Assists Chris Paul 9
Kenneth Faried 9 Rebounds DeAndre Jordan 16
Corey Brewer 6 Free Throws Made Chris Paul 11
Kenneth Faried 2 Steals Chris Paul 2
Kenneth Faried 1 Blocks DeAndre Jordan 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Denver 95 40.2 6-23 23-31 21 44 3 6 12
L.A. Clippers 103 44.2 7-27 20-28 22 48 4 8 11
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Clippers will play their next game at home against Minnesota. The Clippers have a W/L % of .550 after a win and .818 after a loss.
  • Denver will play their next game at home against San Antonio. The Nuggets have a W/L % of .632 after a win and .400 after a loss.