In perhaps their worst loss of the season, the Los Angeles Clippers blew a 17-point lead and lost at home 91-87 to a Phoenix Suns team playing without Steve Nash and Grant Hill Thursday night at Staples Center. The loss was the ninth in the last 14 games for the Clippers, who are now a season-worst 2.5 games out of first place in the Pacific Division.
Blake Griffin had 25 points and eight rebounds to lead the Clippers, who have lost five of their last seven games at Staples Center. Griffin made 12 of 18 field goals, but the rest of the team shot just 40.3%. Chris Paul had 10 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists in defeat for the Clippers (24-18).
Phoenix (21-22) outscored the Clippers 27-12 in the decisive fourth quarter. Shannon Brown led the Suns with 21 points, making a trio of three-pointers and eight of his 10 free throws. Channing Frye added 12 points and six boards for the Suns.
This tweet by Clippers broadcaster Ralph Lawler summed things up on Thursday:
The Clippers continue their homestand on Saturday against the Houston Rockets.
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