National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
L.A. Clippers 97, Sacramento 85
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, December 21, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Officials: #35 Kane Fitzgerald, #48 Scott Foster, #20 Leroy Richardson
Attendance: 19060


Clippers 97, Kings 85: Chris Paul made 5 of 7 3-point attempts en route to a game-high 24 points as host Los Angeles posted its franchise-record 12th consecutive victory.

Paul dished out 13 assists and Blake Griffin contributed 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Pacific Division-leading Clippers, who have not lost since Nov. 26 at home to New Orleans. They eclipsed the franchise's previous mark of 11 straight triumphs set in November 1974, when it was known as the Buffalo Braves.

Jimmer Fredette scored 16 points off the bench and fellow reserve Isaiah Thomas added 12 for Sacramento, which has lost six of seven overall and four straight on the road.

Trailing by two points, Los Angeles moved ahead for good with an 11-1 run that concluded with a jump shot from Griffin with 5:42 remaining in the first quarter. The Clippers pushed the advantage to a game-high 17 points when Caron Butler buried a 3-pointer with 10:05 left in the third.

The Kings used a 9-1 run to get within 63-57 with 4:25 to play in the third. But the Clippers answered with an 11-2 burst late in the quarter and maintained control throughout the fourth.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Despite Paul's success from beyond the arc, the rest of the Clippers were 2-of-16 from 3-point range. ... The Kings fell to 1-11 on the road this season. ... Sacramento's Tyreke Evans missed his third straight game with a knee injury.


Top Game Performances
 
Sacramento   L.A. Clippers
Jimmer Fredette 16 Scoring Chris Paul 24
John Salmons 4 Assists Chris Paul 13
Jason Thompson 8 Rebounds Blake Griffin 13
Jimmer Fredette 6 Free Throws Made Chris Paul 5
Jimmer Fredette 3 Steals Chris Paul 5
James Johnson 3 Blocks Matt Barnes 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Sacramento 85 41.8 8-22 11-16 18 32 9 7 17
L.A. Clippers 97 42.5 7-23 16-24 24 53 13 13 20
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Clippers will play their next game on the road against Phoenix. The Clippers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Sacramento will play their next game at home against Portland. The Kings have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.