Chris Paul and Blake Griffin netted 23 points apiece as the Los Angeles Clippers routed their crosstown rival Lakers, 120-97, on Sunday to clinch homecourt advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
After dropping the season opener to the Lakers, the playoff-bound Clippers easily took the next three games, outscoring them by an average of 35.7 points to take the season series, 3-1.
Six Clippers reached double figures in this one, with J.J. Redick pouring in 15 in his first start since returning to the court. The sharpshooter from Duke missed 25 games while dealing with a bulging disc in his back.
Darren Collison scored 14 points in a reserve role while DeAndre Jordan added 11 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.
Jordan Hill paced the Lakers in their fourth straight loss with 22 points and nine rebounds. Nick Young scored 17 of his 18 points in the first half, playing limited minutes down the stretch with a sore left knee and ankle, and Kendall Marshall handed out 11 assists.
[SportsNetwork.com]
