Clippers beat Lakers

Despite only having two points in the first half, Blake Griffin came roaring back in the second as the Clips defeated the Lakers 99-92 in a day game.

The Clippers (14-25) came alive in the second half with not only Griffin, but also by using a three guard set that opened up outside shooting for Baron Davis, Randy Foye and Eric Gordon, who finished with a game-high 30 points.

When Coach Vinny Del Negro put in the three guards at the same time, it not only set up each of them for passing to each other for three-point looks, but it also spread out the Lakers defense – which would try and cover the shooters and then leave Griffin open underneath.

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(Photo by AP.) (This photo was as Gordon drove to the hoop then zipped a pass to Davis, who made a three from it)

With that setup, Davis had two three-pointers, while Gordon went 4-7 from behind the arc and Foye shot three and made two. The Clippers shot 9 of 21 from the three-point line overall, with Al-Farouq Aminu also hitting one.

Along with Gordon’s 30, Griffin finished the game with his 32nd double-double of the season – 18 points and 15 boards – while Davis had 14 and Foye nine.

Even with the Lakers’ three 7-footers inside, the Clippers managed to outrebound them 50-45 and had three players with 10 or more – Griffin and DeAndre Jordan with 15 apiece and Ike Diogu with 11.

Kobe Bryant scored 27 for the Lakers while Andrew Bynum added 18, Paul Gasol 13 and Lamar Odom and Ron Artest each scored 10.

Both teams play tomorrow also with the Clippers going against Indiana first, followed by the Lakers playing Oklahoma City.

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