Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Western Watch: Clippers help Warriors, rally past Suns
Share This Post
Comments
Wednesday, April 2, 2014 - 11:00pm

BOX SCORE

PHOENIX -- A 17-point third-quarter lead was not enough for the Phoenix Suns, not the way the Los Angeles Clippers are playing these days.

Darren Collison and Blake Griffin scored 23 points apiece and the Clippers beat the Suns 112-108 Wednesday night, their fourth win in a row and 17th in the last 19 games.

Chris Paul added 20 points, including a 32-foot 3-pointer just before the shot clock expired to put the Clippers up for good 108-106 with 1:48 to play.

Los Angeles, winning the last four on a five-game trip, clinched the Pacific Division title with the win.

"It's nice but it doesn't really mean much," Paul said. "We won the division title last year and lost in the first round. Last year we would have gone into the game knowing we had a chance to win the division. Now we don't care, it's all about the bigger picture."

Eight Suns reached double figures, led by Marcus Morris with 16 points.

Phoenix would have been alone in the No. 7 spot in the West with a victory, just a half-game behind Golden State. Instead, the Suns fell into a three-way tie with Memphis and Dallas for the last two playoff spots in the West. Phoenix would lose the tiebreaker the way things stood Wednesday night.

The defeat followed a blowout loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday.

"We had this game almost in our pockets," Goran Dragic said. "But now is not the time to think like that, because we still have to have our confidence up to play those last seven games. `'

The Suns used a 22-5 run to lead 91-74 with 1:49 left in the third period and were up 91-78 entering the fourth.

Griffin had been listed as doubtful for the game with back spasms.

Ex-Sun Jared Dudley made two free throws with 8.1 seconds to play to clinch the win.

Dragic and Gerald Green scored 15 points apiece for the Suns, but Dragic was just 2 of 11 from the field, 0 of 5 from 3-point range. P.J. Tucker, whose rebounding was a big factor in the Suns' third-quarter run, had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

With Griffin and Paul on the bench, the Clippers scored 11 in a row early in the fourth quarter - the last five by Willie Green - to cut Phoenix's lead to 92-85. Dudley's 3-pointer with 5:57 to go cut it to 97-94.

"You know, we won the game because of our second unit," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said. "Honestly, when we were down 17, I was thinking if we didn't cut into it, I was just going to keep them out on the floor, but then they cut into the lead so quickly."

Dudley's two free throws put Los Angeles ahead 105-104 with 2:38 left. Eric Bledsoe's 9-foot floater gave the Suns their last lead, 106-105 with 2:15 left.

Phoenix's defense was strong on the next possession, and just before the clock was to expire, Paul hit from far beyond the arc. Griffin's rebound basket with 49.5 seconds left made it 110-106. Bledsoe scored on the layup to cut it to 110-108.

The Suns had a chance to tie it, but Collison blocked Bledsoe's layup from behind. The ball went out of bounds off the Suns and Dudley's free throws iced the win.

"We can't afford to have lulls against good teams like this," Phoenix coach Jeff Hornacek said.

The Suns broke away from a 69-69 tie with their 22-5 outburst. Tucker had three rebound baskets in the run. He was fouled on his final one, capping the big run with a three-point play that gave Phoenix its biggest lead, 91-74, with 1:49 left in the period. The Clippers scored the next four to trail 91-78 entering the fourth.

Phoenix led 62-60 at the break.

NOTES: Paul has eight straight games with at least three steals. ... Collison has scored at least 20 points in consecutive games for the first time in four years. ... Bledsoe drew a technical foul for slamming his hand on the scorer's table after being called for an offensive foul, his third foul of the game, with 10:39 left in first half. ... Jamal Crawford, in and out of the Clippers lineup lately, was out again with a sore left Achilles tendon. ... Only two of Phoenix's seven remaining games are at home.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Melvin: Both teams were in agreement we should play one game Saturday
Rinetti: 'We did not have the tarp on the field; infield was under water'
Malone: 'We lost this game because we weren’t ready to play'
Inside the Paint: Warriors got 'feel good' game against Kings

Giants

Giants lineup: Hicks gets second straight start
On day they beat the Dodgers blue, Giants see red flags
Instant Replay: Giants rock Ryu, beat Dodgers 8-4
Giants lose Kieschnick to Arizona on waiver claim
Read More

Athletics

A's lineup: No changes behind Straily after rainout
Cook, Gentry progressing, but behind schedule
Wet field forces cancellation of Mariners vs. A's game
A's lineup: Barton at first, Moss at DH
Read More

Sharks

Pacific Division: Predators help Sharks, beat Ducks
In the Crease: Surging Preds visit Sharks
Injured Sharks Torres, Hertl up their tempo in practice
Sharks' win over Kings important to Niemi
Read More

49ers

Report: Georgia State WR Albert Wilson to visit 49ers
Saints, Champ Bailey agree to two-year deal
Report: Seahawks reach extension with Carroll
Team-by-team in-depth NFL Draft analysis
Read More

Raiders

Raiders sign Stanford alum Zychlinski
Johnson released by Titans, ready for 'next chapter'
DeSean Jackson denies gang affiliations
Raiders veteran influx is supremely motivated
Read More

Warriors

Western Watch: Mavs top Lakers, keep pace with Warriors
Rewind: Warriors massacre Kings for franchise-first feat
Gift of April: 16 glorious days of LA vs. SF rivalry
Western Watch: Suns beat Blazers, help Warriors
Read More

NCAA

Stanford women heading to Final Four after win over UNC
Report: Assistant Travis DeCuire to interview for Cal job
Final Four riddled with good defensive teams
Stanford's Ogwumike named AP All-American
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Giants lineup: Hicks gets second straight start
(3)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

On day they beat the Dodgers blue, Giants see red flags
(12)
Instant Replay: Giants rock Ryu, beat Dodgers 8-4
(10)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Baggarly: Vogelsong dealing with mechanical issues
Baggarly: Vogelsong dealing with mechanical issues
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Giants lose Kieschnick to Arizona on waiver claim
Giants-Dodgers lineup: Puig benched for showing up late, Kemp in

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's lineup: No changes behind Straily after rainout
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Cook, Gentry progressing, but behind schedule
(1)
Wet field forces cancellation of Mariners vs. A's game
(11)
See more >

A's VIDEO

Melvin: Both teams were in agreement we should play one game Saturday
Melvin: Both teams were in agreement we should play one game Saturday
See more >

A's TALK

A's lineup: Barton at first, Moss at DH
A's Fuld making demotion difficult to fathom

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Pacific Division: Predators help Sharks, beat Ducks
Associated Press

More Stories

In the Crease: Surging Preds visit Sharks
(1)
Injured Sharks Torres, Hertl up their tempo in practice
(5)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Highlights: Sharks slip past Kings, keep pace with Ducks
Highlights: Sharks slip past Kings, keep pace with Ducks
See more >

Features

Sharks' win over Kings important to Niemi
Kevin Kurz's Sharks chat transcript (4.4.14)

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Western Watch: Mavs top Lakers, keep pace with Warriors
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Gift of April: 16 glorious days of LA vs. SF rivalry
Western Watch: Mavs top Lakers, keep pace with Warriors
(1)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Inside the Paint: Warriors got 'feel good' game against Kings
Inside the Paint: Warriors got 'feel good' game against Kings
See more >

Features

Western Watch: Suns beat Blazers, help Warriors
Instant Replay: Warriors crush Kings, sweep season series

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Warriors massacre Kings for franchise-first feat
  • Instant Replay: Warriors crush Kings, sweep season series
  • Fast Forward: Warriors limping down the stretch
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Lifeless Kings blown out by Warriors
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

McCallum, Gay lead Kings past Lakers
(1)
Kings must beat Lakers to avoid season series sweep
See more >

Watch

Malone: 'We lost this game because we weren’t ready to play'
Malone: 'We lost this game because we weren’t ready to play'
See more >

Features

Kings' Evans fined $15,000 for elbowing Pelicans' Davis
Cousins' monster night propels Kings past Pelicans

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Report: Georgia State WR Albert Wilson to visit 49ers
(5)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Saints, Champ Bailey agree to two-year deal
(1)
Report: Seahawks reach extension with Carroll
(17)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

YSTL: Which under-the-radar CB should 49ers select at No. 30 overall?
YSTL: Which under-the-radar CB should 49ers select at No. 30 overall?
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: 49ers just 'an inch or two' away from Super Bowl
(67)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Raiders sign Stanford alum Zychlinski
(2)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Johnson released by Titans, ready for 'next chapter'
(4)
DeSean Jackson denies gang affiliations
(3)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Bob Ladouceur: 'Jones-Drew in best shape he's ever been in'
Bob Ladouceur: 'Jones-Drew in best shape he's ever been in'
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Raiders Rewind: Overmatched vs. Broncos
(29)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes sign GM to extension
(2)
Associated Press

More Stories

Report: Quakes' Lenhart out four weeks with MCL sprain
(1)
Quakes' Wondolowski scores as USMNT draws Mexico 2-2
(1)
See more >

Watch

Homegrown Tommy Thompson ready for 'next level' with Quakes
Homegrown Tommy Thompson ready for 'next level' with Quakes
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

On day they beat the Dodgers blue, Giants see red flags
(12)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Rewind: Warriors massacre Kings for franchise-first feat
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers' Harbaugh 'would love to work with' Manziel
(137)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders sign Stanford alum Zychlinski
(2)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

In the Crease: Surging Preds visit Sharks
(1)
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

Cook, Gentry progressing, but behind schedule
(1)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Gift of April: 16 glorious days of LA vs. SF rivalry

TOP STORIES

  • Western Watch: Mavs top Lakers, keep pace with Warriors
  • Rewind: Warriors massacre Kings for franchise-first feat
  • Gift of April: 16 glorious days of LA vs. SF rivalry

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

AFT

Click here to buy your Sharks tickets in the Authentic Fan Thursday section!



AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

Stanford's Ogwumike named AP All-American
Cal's Montgomery announces retirement

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Melvin: Both teams were in agreement we should play one game Saturday
Melvin: Both teams were in agreement we should play one game Saturday
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live
  • CSN Talent

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California