OKLAHOMA CITY -- NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant marveled at what Jamal Crawford did to his team. Crawford scored 36 points to help the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 125-117 on Sunday afternoon. Durant scored 42 points, but such performances are almost expected from him. Crawford, on the other hand, averages about 19 points. Hes known to be streaky, and in this game, he was on. He made 5 of 8 three-pointers, many of which were launched from well beyond the line. "Jamal Crawford comes across halfcourt shooting," Durant said. "Youve got confidence once you start seeing the ball go in the rim." Matt Barnes scored 24 points, Chris Paul had 18 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds, Blake Griffin scored 20 points and DeAndre Jordan added 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers, who snapped a two-game skid and beat the team with the leagues best record. "We were on the plane yesterday flying here and we were just talking about how we hadnt beaten any good teams on the road, any really good teams, and this would be a perfect time to start," Paul said. "Doc (Clippers coach Doc Rivers) was on us, telling us that in the playoffs, youre going to lose a home game at some point and youve got to be able to win on the road. Hopefully this is a win for us that gets us moving." Durant also had 10 assists, and Serge Ibaka added 20 points for the Thunder, who lost their second straight. It was the most points the Thunder have allowed this season, and it came on the heels of a 103-81 home loss to Miami on Thursday. "Weve just got to get over this little slow stretch that were in," Durant said. "Wed better. Weve got to play defence. Thats the thing. We cant just let teams come in here and do whatever they want offensively." Oklahoma City overcame a 15-point deficit late in the third quarter to take a 115-112 lead on a three-pointer by Durant with 2:43 to play, but the Clippers controlled the game from there. A three-pointer by Crawford with 1:30 remaining gave Los Angeles a 119-115 lead. Crawford scored again on a floating jumper in the final minute to push the lead to 121-117. "Jamal made timely shots," Paul said. "Every time they made a run and we just needed a bucket, Jamal was our guy." Oklahoma Citys Russell Westbrook missed a three-pointer on the other end, and Paul made two free throws to extend the Clippers lead to six. Paul sprained his right thumb against Memphis on Friday, and he wasnt sure hed play. "I think the credit goes to our training staff," he said. "I came here to the arena thinking that I wasnt playing, but they found a way." The Clippers shot 66 per cent in the first half to take a 72-66 lead at the break. Barnes made a three-pointer with 9.8 seconds left in the first half, and a loose ball foul was called on Ibaka away from the shot. Griffin made the free throw to give the Clippers a 72-64 lead. Durant closed the half with a long two-pointer. The Clippers scored 44 points in the second quarter, just short of their season high of 46 in a period. The Clippers had 27 fast-break points at halftime. "We really couldnt get ourselves in front of them, and they were beating us down the floor early, and it gave them some confidence and led them to winning the game," Westbrook said. Griffin hit a three-pointer to push the Clippers lead to 91-79 with 3:26 left in the third quarter. Darren Collisons layup pushed the lead to 95-80 late in the third quarter, but Oklahoma City outscored the Clippers 13-4 in the final two minutes of the period to cut its deficit to 99-93. Derek Fisher hit two 3-pointers to start the rally, and then Durant made a 3 with 1.6 seconds left in the quarter. The Thunder trimmed the Clippers edge to a point on a pair of free throws by Jeremy Lamb, and Fisher tied it at 107 on a 3-pointer with just over six minutes to play. The Clippers kept the offence working from there, holding on for a win that they hope launches their playoff push. "Its very important," Crawford said. "Coming down the stretch, we just want to continue to do our game, every single night, no matter who were playing. It doesnt matter. As long as we keep getting better down the stretch, I think well be in good shape." NOTES: The Clippers made their first five shots. ... Thunder centre Kendrick Perkins missed Sundays game against the Los Angeles Clippers with a strained left groin. He was injured during the third quarter of Oklahoma Citys loss to Miami on Thursday night. Steven Adams, a rookie, got his third career start in Perkins place. ... Rivers and Crawford were issued technical fouls in the first quarter. Paul was given one in the second quarter. ... Clippers guard J.J. Redick sat out with a bulging disc in his lower back. He had missed the previous six games. He has played in just 30 games this season while dealing with wrist, hip and back injuries. He averages 15.7 points and 2.2 assists per game. Dion Bailey Jersey . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. Jimmy Graham Seahawks Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. http://www.shopseahawksofficial.com/Women-Earl-Thomas-III-Seahawks-Jersey/ . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. Garry Gilliam Womens Jersey . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Cortez Kennedy Jersey . By having more great seasons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday.SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Chris Wondolowski scored his 10th goal of the season and the San Jose Earthquakes made it stand for a 1-0 victory against the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday. The win moved sixth-place San Jose (13-11-8) within a point of both Colorado (13-10-9) and the L.A. Galaxy (14-11-6), who hold the last two playoff spots in the Western Conference. Colorado kept Wondolowski off the scoreboard with multiple saves before the reigning league MVP broke through in the 69th minute, snapping a powerful header from a Shea Salinas corner kick that left Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin flat-footed. It was the league-leading seventh game-winning goal for Wondolowski, who has reached double digits in league scoring for four straight years. San Jose improved to 4-0-1 in its past five matches as the 2012 Supporters Shield winners attempt to reach the post-season. The Earthquakes extended their unbeaten streak at home to 15 matches.dddddddddddd The Earthquakes had eight corner kicks to Colorados two, keeping the Rapids defence under pressure for much of the match. Alan Gordon almost put San Jose ahead in the ninth minute with a header off a corner kick that crashed against the post and away from Colorados goal. Colorado defender Drew Moor delivered goal-line saves against Wondolowski and Gordon in the 64th minute. Irwin smothered Wondolowskis shot in the 51st minute, then made a diving left-handed stop to deflect Wondolowskis redirection of a free kick in the 69th minute. Wondolowski scored off the ensuing corner. The Rapids, who finish with a home-and-home series against Vancouver, still control their playoff destiny. The Earthquakes still need help even if they close the season with victories against the Galaxy and FC Dallas. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys cheap soccer jerseys cheap nhl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' ' |