The Los Angeles Clippers took another step out of the shadows of their city rivals the Lakers with a 102-94 win yesterday. Â Chris Paul exploded for 33 points, six assists and three steals and Blake Griffin finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Clippers, who are in the midst of playing six of seven National Basketball Association games at home. Â Read more after the jump.
Griffin also had five assists and Chauncey Billups scored 19 points at Staples Centre arena.
The Clippers have been a different team since adding all-star guard Paul this season.
Heading into the contest, Paul was averaging 16.1 points and 8.8 assists a game.
Kobe Bryant led the Los Angeles Lakers, posting his fourth-consecutive game of scoring 40 points or more.
Bryant finished with 42 points for the Lakers, who had their five-game winning streak snapped.
It was Bryant’s 111th 40-point game in his career.
The 16-time NBA champion Lakers won three of four contests against the Clippers last season and have won 16 of the past 22 meetings.
