The Clippers ran their franchise-best win streak to 17 games Sunday night with a win over the Utah Jazz that capped an undefeated December for the team with the NBA's best record.
The Clippers (25-6) went 16-0 in December, joining the 1971-72 LA Lakers and 1995-96 San Antonio Spurs as the third team in NBA history to go undefeated in a month. That Lakers team went on to set the league's longest win streak -- 33 games.
The Clippers have not lost since Nov. 26, but open the new year with a tough road test Tuesday at Denver. The Nuggets are 9-1 at home.
"We're going to lose at some point, but this is a magical run,'' Clipper Caron Butler, who had 29 points in a 107-96 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday, told the Associated Press.
LA travels to Golden State Wednesday before returning home Friday to play the Lakers. The Clippers defeated the Lakers earlier this year.
On Sunday night, Jamal Crawford sparked LA's 10-5 run to open the fourth quarter. He hit a 3-point and pull-up jumper that gave the Clippers an 89-81 lead.
The Jazz, who lost to LA three times in December, narrowed the gap to four points, but LA hit 9 of 10 free throws to close out Utah. DeAndre Jordan, a career 44-percent free throw shooter, was six for eight from the foul line.
"It's a tribute to everybody in here,'' Clipper Blake Griffin said. "Everybody has been a huge part one night or the other. It's a selfless attitude the team has taken on. This is the most fun I've ever had playing basketball.''
Butler led LA with 29 points. Chris Paul and Crawford scored 19 points apiece, and Jordan added 14 points.
The Clippers have won 11 of the 17 games during the streak by 12 points or more. LA has allowed 100 points just three times during that run.
