Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers final score: Clippers beat Jazz 98-90

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Utah Jazz 98-90 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  The Clippers improved to 21-11, and the Jazz fell to 9-24.

Blake Griffin scored 40 points, making 13 of 20 shots from the field, and hitting 14 of 17 free throws.  Griffin’s monstrous production was needed with the game tied at 90 with 2:32 to go in the fourth.  Over the final two minutes, the Clippers played like the better team, and shut down the Jazz to secure their 21st victory of the season.

Chris Paul nearly registered a triple-double for the Clippers with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.  Paul also had five steals, two of which came late in the fourth.

Griffin and Paul powered the Clippers past the Utah Jazz, who despite beginning the season 1-14, have gone .500 over their last 10 games.  The Jazz beat the Lakers last night, and gave the Clippers a tough battle at the Staples Center tonight.

Jazz center Enes Kanter was beaten up by Griffin, but led the Jazz with 17 points and 12 rebounds.  Marvin Williams netted 15 points and eight boards.  Richard Jefferson chipped in 15 points, and Trey Burke finished with 12 points and six assists.

Griffin and Paul contributed most of the offensive production for the Clippers. Jamal Crawford was the only other Clipper in double digits with 13 points.

Next game: The Clippers play the Suns on Monday at 10:30 pm ET.  The Jazz play the Bobcats on Monday at 9 pm ET.

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