LEAD: Clippers cruise past Thunder behind Paul and Griffin

By Paul Levine Jan 31, 2012, 8:40 GMT

Los Angeles - The Oklahoma City Thunder came in to face the LA Clippers with an NBA best-16-3 record, but left Staples Center as the second best team on court Monday night.

Chris Paul had 26 points with 14 assists, Blake Griffin scored 22, including a monster highlight reel dunk, and the spirited LA Clippers quieted the visiting Thunder 112-100 in a showdown of Western Division leaders.

'Everybody came out ready to play out of the gate,' Griffin said. 'Everybody did a great job.'

Caron Butler also scored 22 points, Chauncey Billups had 13, Mo Williams 12 while DeAndre Jordan finished with 11 and as and as many rebounds for the Pacific-leading Clippers (12-6), who shot a sizzling 56 per cent from the field en route to their third straight win.

'We knew if you don't come out with your guard up and locked in that team will blow you out,' Billups said.

'They got the best record in the league for a reason and they're a great road team. But we feel like we're becoming a pretty good basketball team but you have to win at home no matter who is in your building.'

After taking a 64-46 halftime lead, Griffin instantly made the internet with less than nine minutes left in the third quarter.

After rolling off a screen for Paul, the Clippers point guard hit Griffin with a bounce pass several feet from the basket and he took off. Kendrick Perkins jumped into Griffin trying to stop the shot, but the high-flyer would not be denied, throwing down a one-handed jaw-dropping, rim-rattling slam over the Thunder centre that sent the crowd into frenzy.

Griffin made the free throw to complete the three-point play, making it 73-51.

'CP commands so much attention out there,' Griffin said. 'He drew everybody to him and hit me in stride with a perfect pass. You couldn't ask for a better set up.'

'I told Blake after the game,' Paul said, 'Thanks for letting me be part of that.'

'We're going to be seeing that for years,' Billups said. 'That was unbelievable.'

The Clippers carried a 90-70 cushion into the fourth quarter that was sliced to 95-81. Griffin, however, scored five straight points, capped by a two-handed jam, making it 100-81 and the hosts cruised home.

Kevin Durant had 36 points with 13 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook scored 31 for the Northwest-leading Thunder (16-4), which lost for just the second time in the last 13 games.

'Chris Paul was running around, getting what he wanted to get on the floor and making passes to guys for wide-open dunks and 3s,' Durant said. 'It's tough to stop.'

Elsewhere: Minnesota Timberwolves 120, Houston Rockets 108: Michael Beasley scored 34 points, Kevin Love added 29 and the visiting Timberwolves sent the Rockets to just their second loss in 11 games, making former coach Rick Adelman's return to Houston a success.

Miami Heat 109, New Orleans Hornets: LeBron James collected 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Dwyane Wade also scored 22, leading the Heat to its fifth straight victory while handing the visiting Hornets their 11th loss in the last 13 games.

Chicago Bulls 98, Washington Wizards 88: Derrick Rose poured in a season-high 35 points, Joakim Noah had 14 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, as the visiting Bulls rebounded from Sunday's loss to Miami to beat the lowly Wizards.

San Antonio Spurs 83, Memphis Grizzlies 73: Matt Bonner fired in five threes en route to 15 points, Tim Duncan scored 14 and the visiting Spurs send the Grizzlies to their fourth straight loss.

Milwaukee Bucks 103, Detroit Pistons 82: Brandon Jennings had 21 points, Mike Dunleavy added a season-high 20 off the bench and the host Bucks handed the skidding Pistons their ninth loss in 10 games.

Dallas Mavericks 122, Phoenix Suns 99: Delonte West scored a season-best 25 points, Vince Carter had 21 and the visiting Mavericks crushed the host Suns minus All-Star guard Steve Nash (left thigh bruise) for their sixth win in the last seven games.

Utah Jazz 93, Portland Trail Blazers 89: Paul Millsap had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and the Jazz went on game-breaking 13-0 fourth-quarter run, to snap a three-game slide against the visiting Trail Blazers despite a game-high 25 points by LaMarcus Aldridge.

Philadelphia 76ers 74, Orlando Magic 69: Andre Iguodala had 14 points with a season-high 11 rebounds, Evan Turner scored 12 off the bench and the Sixers relied on their league-best defence, to send the travel-weary Magic to its fourth straight loss.