The 1973-1974 Buffalo Braves continue to stand alone.
Daniel Gibson hit a tiebreaking three-pointer with 1:20 remaining, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 99-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena. The win snapped a four-game road winning streak for the Clippers, just one shy of the franchise record set 38 seasons ago in Buffalo.
Caron Butler, who scored 21 points on the night for the Clippers, missed a three-point shot from the left wing with 9.8 seconds remaining that would have tied the score. Cleveland outscored the Clippers 12-5 over the final two minutes.
Ramon Sessions had 24 points and 13 assists for the Cavaliers (10-14), who have beaten the Clippers 10 straight times in Cleveland. Antawn Jamison scored 27 points to lead Cleveland in the win.
The Clippers trailed 70-64 heading into the fourth quarter and cut the lead to a single point on a pair of free throws by Randy Foye with 7:18 remaining after a type one flagrant foul by Anderson Varejao, who hogtied Foye. However, instead of the Clippers getting inspired by the foul, Cleveland went on an 8-2 run.
Down seven points with four minutes remaining in the game, the Clippers stormed back with six quick points by Blake Griffin and two tying free throws by Chris Paul with 2:10 remaining in the game. Griffin on the night had 25 points and 15 rebounds, including nine points in the final four minutes of the game. Griffin, who entered the game a 50.3% free throw shooter, made nine of 10 shots at the charity stripe.
Paul made just five of his 16 field goals on the night, but finished with 16 points and 12 assists in the loss for the Clippers, who shot 41.0% on the night.
Kenyon Martin made his Clippers debut and scored six points, grabbed four rebounds, and blocked two shots in 20 minutes off the bench. Clippers reserves on the night scored 15 points on 6-of-20 shooting (30%).
Varejao added 15 points and 11 rebounds for Cleveland.
The Clippers continue their road trip Friday night, facing the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center in the city of brotherly love.
For more news and notes about Clippers basketball, be sure to read Clips Nation.