Clippers beat Lakers, give life to Los Angeles rivalry

Jan 15, 2012, 6:35 GMT

Los Angeles - The new-look Los Angeles Clippers proved they are a worthy rival to the Los Angeles Lakers, withstanding Kobe Bryant's fourth straight 40-point game and never trailing in a 102-94 victory Saturday night.

Chris Paul scored 33 points before leaving late with a hamstring injury and Blake Griffin added 22 and 14 rebounds for the Clippers (6-3), who have always played in the shadow of the Lakers but appear to be ready to provide a challenge.

Last month, the Lakers thought they had swung a deal for Paul, the All-Star point guard of the New Orleans Hornets. But Commissioner David Stern voided the deal because it did not help the Hornets, who are owned by the NBA. The Clippers then put together their own package for Paul.

Bryant scored 42 points on 14-of-28 shooting. But he dominated the offense and didn't get much help as the Lakers (9-5) had their five-game winning streak snapped.

Oklahoma City 104, New York 92 =

Kevin Durant scored 28 points and James Harden added 24 as the Thunder blasted the visiting Knicks for their sixth consecutive victory. New York was without injured leading scorer Carmelo Anthony.

Chicago 77, Toronto 64 =

The host Bulls won their fifth straight game behind Derrick Rose's 18 points and 11 assists. The Raptors were without injured leading scorer Andrea Bargnani of Italy.

Elsewhere, the host Dallas Mavericks destroyed the Sacramento Kings, 99-60; the Philadelphia 76ers cruised past the host Washington Wizards, 103-90; the Indiana Pacers defeated the visiting Boston Celtics, 97-83; the Houston Rockets escaped with a 107-105 home overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers; the Atlanta Hawks edged the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, 93-91; the host Utah Jazz defeated the New Jersey Nets, 107-94; the Memphis Grizzlies dispatched the visiting New Orleans Hornets, 108-99; and the Charlotte Bobcats notched a 112-100 win over the visiting Golden State Warriors.