Chris Paul hit a pair of free throws with 35.9 seconds remaining to seize the lead for good, guiding the Los Angeles Clippers to a 109-105 comeback victory over the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on Sunday night. Paul scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half, and added seven assists and six rebounds as well.
The win snapped a nine-game losing streak in Denver for the Clippers, who last won in the Mile High City on January 27, 2006. The win also snapped a four-game road losing streak for the Clippers, who hadn't won away from home since beating Golden State on opening night on December 25.
The Clippers trailed by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but the final minutes were back and forth. There were five lead changes and two ties in the fourth quarter.
Denver native Chauncey Billups scored 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting, breaking out of his shooting slump that has lasted most of the season. Billups came into the game shooting just 33.7% from the field, and had made only six of 27 field goals (22.2%) in his last three games.
Blake Griffin scored 17 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked three shots for the Clippers, who shot ...% from the field. DeAndre Jordan chipped in with 13 rebounds and five blocked shots on the night. The Clippers set a new season high with 11 blocks.
Nene Hilario led Denver with 18 points and nine rebounds, and had a pair of slam dunks in the final 80 seconds, giving the Nuggets the lead. Andre Miller had 16 points and 10 assists for the Nuggets, starting in place of Ty Lawson, who missed Sunday's game with a sprained left ankle.
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