Griffin scores 26 points in return, Clippers hold on for wild win

In a game that rapidly got out of control in the second half, a game that had four technical fouls, one flagrant foul and two ejections, the Clippers escaped with a 121-120 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night at Staples Center.

It took three free throws by J.J. Redick in the final eight seconds for the Clippers to overcome a mad dash to the finish line by the Trail Blazers that included a three-pointer by Damian Lillard that made the game too close for comfort for L.A.

The Clippers and Trail Blazers have a history from a playoff series that Portland won last April, and it has carried over to this season.

The Clippers have won all three games this season and six in a row against Portland in the regular season. The loss Monday was the Trail Blazers’ fourth straight.

”I’m sure there’s no love lost,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said about the two teams. “We play each other a lot. Whenever you play a team a lot, it seems like you get testy. We don’t really care if you like us or not. It doesn’t do one thing to us or the other. And I would say the other teams probably feel the same way.”

The game became physical when Chris Paul (21 points, 14 assists) was called for a flagrant foul on Allen Crabbe.

The game turned into a testy affair when Portland Coach Terry Stotts was hit with a technical foul with four minutes 14 seconds left and his team leading by one point.

After Redick (19 points) made the technical free throw and three free throws for being fouled on a three-pointer for a 109-107 lead, the Clippers never trailed again — even though the game was contested to the end.

×

-

Mason Plumee was called for a technical foul for his elbow into the face of Blake Griffin, who had fouled the Portland center on the play late in the fourth quarter.

After DeAndre Jordan fouled Lillard (24 points) on a drive, Portland reserve Evan Turner shoved the Clippers center, which led to Jordan pointing his finger at Turner.

Turner kept slapping Jordan’s finger away and Jordan kept pointing it at Turner, who just slapped it away again.

After a review by the officials, the referees called a double-technical foul on Jordan and Turner and both players were ejected with 11.5 seconds left in a game that was wild and crazy.

“I think he was just frustrated at the time,” Rivers said about the officials. “He figured just throw them both out so nothing else happens.”

Lillard made both free throws, but the Clippers looked to be in control holding a 118-115 lead.

But Griffin lost control of the ball, turning it over with 9.5 seconds left, giving the Trail Blazers one more opportunity.

Rather than let the Trail Blazers get off a three-point attempt, Raymond Felton fouled C.J. McCollum in the backcourt. McCollum made both free throws to close the Clippers’ lead to 118-117 with 7.9 seconds remaining.

Portland’s mistake was McCollum fouling Redick before the ball was inbounded. Redick made the free throw and the Clippers got the ball back.

In the end, the Clippers were happy Griffin (26 points, 12 rebounds, six assists) was back after missing the last game with sore right knee.

“It was just competition,” Paul said. “Guys are out there fighting for a win. Stuff happens.”

[email protected]

Twitter: @BA_Turner