Magic 104, Clippers 101
LOS ANGELES -- J.J. Redick nailed a 3-pointer to give the Orlando Magic their first lead with 42 seconds left, lifting the Magic to a 104-101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Staples Center.
Redick had 21 points, including four 3-pointers, but he perhaps made a bigger impact defensively, at least on one play.
After Lamar Odom blocked Jameer Nelson's attempt with 17.8 seconds left and the Magic up 102-101, the Clippers turned it back in a hurry. Too much of a hurry, however, as Jamal Crawford plowed into Redick for a charge with 12.9 seconds remaining.
Los Angeles missed an opportunity to foul Josh McRoberts, who found Nikola Vucevic for the dunk, and Crawford missed a 26-foot 3-point attempt as the clock dwindled.
Orlando trailed by 13 less than six minutes into the game, but the plucky Magic -- who entered the contest with a 10-game losing streak -- fought back behind Redick and Arron Afflalo.
Redick hit 8 of 14 shots in 33 minutes off the bench and Afflalo continued his strong play in his hometown. The UCLA product tied a season high with 30 points, matching his output in a Dec. 2 win at Staples Center over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Afflalo had seven assists and seven rebounds in 40 minutes, and Vucevic added 18 points and 15 rebounds for the Magic.
Blake Griffin also tied a season high with 30 points, including 16 in the third quarter, and added eight rebounds and seven assists for the Clippers. Jamal Crawford added 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting off the bench. Four others scored 10 for Los Angeles, including Chris Paul, who added 16 assists.
The Clippers finished with 32 assists but fell to 9-1 with 30-plus assists during the Paul era.
NOTES: Clippers veteran forward Grant Hill made his season debut but played just six minutes. Hill missed the first 34 games with a bruised right knee. ... Chauncey Billups (left foot peroneal tendinitis) remains out for Los Angeles. Billups suffered an Achilles injury against Orlando in the teams' lone matchup last season and the veteran guard missed 14 games to start this season because of it. The Clippers beat the Magic in overtime on Feb. 6, 2012, their first win in Orlando since 2006. ... Guston Ayon (thigh), Glen Davis (shoulder), Al Harrington (knee) and E'Twaun Moore (elbow) all missed the game for the Magic. ... Both teams feature prolific passers. The Clippers rank second in the NBA with 23.7 assists per game while Orlando ranks seventh with 22.8.
