Clippers 118, Rockets 107: Chris Paul had 30 points and 12 assists and Jamal Crawford added 22 points as visiting Los Angeles completed a four-game series sweep of Houston and clinched a playoff spot.

The Clippers moved two games ahead of the Rockets in the battle for third place in the Western Conference despite losing Blake Griffin to back spasms less than six minutes into the contest. DeAndre Jordan had 20 points and 12 rebounds and Matt Barnes added 15 points and 10 boards as Los Angeles attempted a franchise-record 41 3-pointers (making 12) while winning for the fourth time in five games.

James Harden scored 32 points and Chandler Parsons added 28 points and nine rebounds for the Rockets, who were without center Dwight Howard (ankle). Isaiah Canaan had 14 points and Omer Asik contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds for Houston, which had an 11-game home winning streak halted.

Crawford scored eight straight points early in the fourth quarter to give Los Angeles a 96-85 lead with 9:10 to play. The Rockets maneuvered their way within six on Harden’s 3-pointer with 4:24 remaining but Barnes and Darren Collison hit back-to-back 3-pointers a short time later to boost the margin to 13 as the Clippers finished off the victory.

Paul had 19 first-half points as Los Angeles took a 61-58 lead into the break. Houston opened the third quarter with a 9-2 run to take a four-point lead before the Clippers recovered to take an 88-84 edge into the final stanza.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Griffin grabbed his lower back midway through the first quarter and was helped to the locker room. … The Rockets were 36-of-45 from the free-throw line but were hurt by 19 turnovers. … Clippers F Danny Granger (hamstring) sat out the contest and coach Doc Rivers ordered F Glen Davis to the locker room early in the second quarter after the two exchanges words when Rivers removed Davis from the game.