Chris Paul had 30 points and 11 assists for the Los Angeles Clippers, who defeated the slumping Sacramento Kings 116-105 on Wednesday night.
The Clippers hit eight 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Kings and win their second straight and fourth in six games. The victory kept the Clippers tied for fifth place in the Western Conference with Dallas, which defeated Orlando.
J.J. Redick connected on seven 3-pointers and scored 27 points for the Clippers. Blake Griffin had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Hedo Turkoglu also had 19 points. Los Angeles made 17 of 37 3-point attempts.
It was the third straight game for Griffin, who missed 15 games following surgery to remove a staph infection in his right elbow.
Rudy Gay scored 23 points for the Kings, who have dropped four straight and eight of nine. Andre Miller had 16 points, Nick Stauskas had 13 and Jason Thompson added 12 and eight rebounds.
The Clippers played without starting forward Matt Barnes (sore right hamstring) and third-leading scorer Jamal Crawford, who missed his eighth straight game with a right calf contusion.
The Kings were at a disadvantage from the start, missing injured DeMarcus Cousins (right calf strain), the team's leading scorer and rebounder. The Kings are now 2-13 when Cousins is sidelined.
Blake Griffin shaking off rust as Clippers prepare for stretch run
After the Kings tied it at 84 early in the fourth quarter, the Clippers produced a 17-6 run, Turkoglu had a pair of 3s and so did Redick, who turned the second one into a four-point play and a 102-90 lead at the 5:30 mark.
Paul ignited the Clippers in the third quarter when they outscored the Kings 29-24. The crafty point guard made 6 of 7 perimeter shots, including a pair of 3s, and scored 14 points, giving Los Angeles an 80-73 lead heading into the fourth.
TIP INS:
Clippers: Turkoglu, a fan favorite in Sacramento where he began his career, started his second straight game in place of Barnes. It's the only two starts this season for the 14-year veteran. . Redick made four 3s and had 17 first-half points, helping the Clippers to a 51-48 lead.
Kings: Vlade Divac, the Kings' new Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations, sat courtside with owner Vivek Ranadive. . The Kings are 13-21 at home.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Friday at home against Washington.
Kings: Host Charlotte on Friday.
