LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Los Angeles took charge with an eight-point run in the fourth quarter Wednesday and the Clippers went on to defeat Dallas 99-93.
The Clippers won their third in a row and their 20th out of 22. The Dallas slide continued with the Mavericks having dropped four straight and 10 of 11.
Dallas led by as many as 10 late in the third quarter, but the Clippers moved in front on a 3-pointer by Matt Barnes with 8:08 to play. Those were the first of eight consecutive points for the Clippers and the Mavericks came no closer than three the rest of the way.
Chris Paul had 19 points and dished out 16 assists to lead Los Angeles, which now leads Golden State by five games at the top of the Pacific Division and has a 12 1/2-game advantage over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Barnes added 19 points and Blake Griffin chipped in 15 for the Clippers.
Darren Collison led the Mavericks with 22 and O.J. Mayo had 17.
