Clippers 93, Knicks 80: Chris Paul collected 20 points and eight assists as host Los Angeles easily handed shorthanded New York.

Blake Griffin added 12 points and 12 rebounds and Caron Butler scored 14 for the Clippers, who moved a full game ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference.

J.R. Smith scored 17 points off the bench and Raymond Felton chipped in 16 and nine assists as the Knicks fell to 0-4 on their five-game road trip. Chris Copeland scored 13 points while starting in place of Carmelo Anthony (knee), who sat along with Tyson Chandler (knee, neck) for the second straight game each.

New York shot 30.2 percent in the first half but was still within 44-37 at the break. The Knicks pulled to within three points early in the third before Los Angeles embarked on a 16-3 run to spread it out.

Paul’s driving layup with 1:16 left in the third pushed the gap to 72-53 before a quick burst from the Knicks cut it to a 12-point edge heading into the final period. New York got as close as 89-80 with under two minutes to play but did not score again.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Butler went 4-of-6 from 3-point range and played 29 minutes after sitting out the last game with an elbow injury. … The loss drops the Knicks a game behind the Indiana Pacers for the No. 2 spot in the East. New York will try to avoid being swept on a five-game road trip when it finishes up at Utah on Monday. … Los Angeles G Eric Bledsoe (elbow) missed his third straight game.