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In what turned into a game of runs, the Los Angeles Clippers were able to hold off the Portland Trail Blazers, 103-90, in the Rose Garden on Thursday night on TNT.
The Clippers rode their productive bench play to a 22-2 run to blow the game open in the second quarter, ending the first half with a 60-39 lead in front of a silent crowd.
But the Blazers came roaring back in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 32-17 to pull within six heading into the final period.
The Blazers are a team that leans heavily on its starters, and after their furious rally, they just didn't have enough to finish the deal. The Clippers were able to hold them off by having more energy at the end of the game and extending their lead just as the Blazers looked to be getting tired. The Blazers got as close as four points.
The Clippers were led by Jamal Crawford's 25 points on 9-for-17 shooting and DeAndre Jordan's 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting and seven rebounds. Nicolas Batum put up 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals in the loss.
The Clippers improve to 4-2 on the season while the Blazers drop to 2-3.