LOS ANGELES – The Clippers had a handful of things to celebrate on Easter Sunday at Staples Center.
DeAndre Jordan had 16 points and 16 rebounds as Los Angeles defeated the Denver Nuggets 105-90 for their second consecutive victory.
With the win, the Clippers clinched a playoff spot for the fifth straight year and got good news before the game when it was announced that All-Star forward Blake Griffin has been cleared to play, and will return to the lineup on April 3rd.
Chris Paul had 14 points, nine assists and six rebounds, Jamal Crawford chipped in 14 and Jeff Green and Wesley Johnson had 13 points apiece.
Los Angeles hopped out to an early 25-8 lead in the first quarter, sending the Nuggets on an Easter egg hunt of sorts as they dominated Denver in fast-break points.
Jusif Nurkic had 19 points, D.J. Augustin scored 18 as the Nuggets made it a four-point game at halftime.
But the Clippers stole the show in the second half, burying the Nuggets in the third quarter, as they opened up a 17-point lead.
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The Clippers will next take on the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on Monday night on the second night of a back-to-back as Griffin serves the second game of his four-game suspension for punching the team's assistant equipment manager in January.
The Clippers clinch a playoff spot for the 5th straight year, the longest streak in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/12MyYKxP2b — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 27, 2016
