J.J. Redick scored a game-high 23 points for the Clippers in their 99-92 victory over Charlotte on Tuesday/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com

It’s true that the Clippers did not look good in letting most of a 22-point lead slip away against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night at Staples Center; the Hornets pulled to as close as a point early in the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 99-92 victory.

But when the Clippers (43-25) needed to buckle down on defense, they did as Charlotte scored just two points in the final 3 1/2 minutes after pulling within 93-90 on a 19-footer by Mo Williams.

“I think down the stretch we had great communication on defense,” said J.J. Redick, who led the team with 23 points. “We stuck to our principles, we were in the right rotations, the guys took the individual challenge. D.J. (DeAndre Jordan) down the stretch on Al (Jefferson) was great. We got it done.”

Jefferson led the Hornets (29-37) with 21 points.