LOS ANGELES – Chris Paul led all scorers with 27 points and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated their fellow Staples Center tenants, the Lakers, 105-93 on Friday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Clippers started hot shooting 68 percent from the field in their first game back at Staples Center since going 3-2 on a five-game road trip earl in the first quarter.
The Lakers would battle back and take a 29-28 lead at the end of the quarter and would trail by just five points at halftime.
After a sloppy third quarter by both times, the Clippers took control in the fourth and final frame outscoring the Lakers 27-22 as they cruised to a 12-point victory.
Chris Paul led all scorers 27 points and 7 assists. Lance Stephenson provided a spark plug for the Clips scoring 16 points off the bench. Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford added 17 and 15, respectively. No other starter scored in double-figures for the Clippers.
Julius Randle had a team-high 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Lakers. Jordan Clarkson contributed 17 points as the Lakers lost their ninth consecutive game to the Clippers in the Staples Center series.
Kobe Bryant did not play in the game.
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TURNING POINT
Lance Stephenson. "Born Ready" buried a three-pointer with 8:26 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Clippers their largest lead of the game at 14.
MVP OF THE GAME
Chris Paul. The Los Angeles Clippers only All-Star this year had a game-high 27 points and seven assists.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Clippers have outscored the Lakers by an average of 13.8 PPG since 2011-2012.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
Take flight @StephensonLance ✈️�� https://t.co/9G5YW1CJbJ — LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 30, 2016
Stephenson takes flight.
PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
Lance with his best game of the season.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"Lance played with great energy tonight. He's never played the four before, so we asked him to do something different tonight." – Head Coach Doc Rivers on Lance Stephenson
NOTES
Veterans Paul Pierce (Clippers) and Kobe Bryant (Lakers) did not play in the game. A fan proposed to his girlfriend during a timeout in the fourth quarter (she said yes).
RECORD
Los Angeles Lakers (9-40, 4-23 on the road) last in the Pacific Division.
Los Angeles Clippers (31-16, 16-7 at home) 2nd in Pacific Division.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers will host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night at 6:30PM PST.
The Clippers will return to Staples Center on Sunday afternoon when they host Pau Gasol and the Chicago Bulls.
