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LOS ANGELES -- Blake Griffin has become the first player in the history of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise with three consecutive games of 30 or more points. And hes made it look easy, even without Chris Pauls help. Griffin scored 19 of his 36 points in the first quarter and Jamal Crawford added 21, leading the Clippers to a 118-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors in a matchup of division leaders Friday night. "I expected greatness, but Blakes done some things we didnt know he could do," coach Doc Rivers said. "Clearly, were taking advantage of him in the open court with the ball. And hell be even better when Chris comes back." DeAndre Jordan had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the defending Pacific Division champions, who are 12-6 since Paul separated his right shoulder on Jan. 3. "When it first happened, we didnt know how long it would be at that time," Crawford said. "Me and Blake understood what it meant, and that more was expected of us. But its been a total team effort, and thats a credit to the coaching staff. They always keep us prepared. You saw how things went for Doc in the past with Boston when he lost Rondo and had K.G. in and out of the lineup. But he never made excuses, and he wasnt going to allow himself to make excuses this time no matter who was out." Griffin, who had 36 points at Denver and 43 against Miami in the Clippers previous two games, capped his dominant opening quarter on a 20-footer with 2.4 seconds on the clock to give the Clippers a 29-22 lead. Crawford, who had 37 points in the previous meeting between the teams, burned the Raptors for 14 points in the second quarter while starting again for the injured J.J. Redick. "Their bigs created some problems. And when youve got a player like Jamal Crawford, it can definitely get tough," Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan said. "Thats why you cant give them any leeway. Youve got to fight with them to the end." Jordan attempted 22 free throws and converted a career-high 10, after entering the game averaging 43.4 per cent from the foul line. "I think they started fouling him when they were down 18. And when they stopped it, they were down 17," Rivers said. "Its like when they intentionally walk people in baseball -- and thats no fun to watch. I would say it changed the rhythm of the game, because we had a great pace and we never got back to that. But as far as the score, it really didnt change anything." The Clippers, coming off a 116-112 loss to the NBA champion Miami Heat on Wednesday, are 4-6 against the other five first-place clubs. They havent dropped back-to-back home games in the regular season since Nov. 3-5, 2012, against Golden State and Cleveland. DeRozan had 36 points and eight assists for the Atlantic Division-leading Raptors, who concluded their 2-3 road trip with their fourth straight loss to the Clippers at Staples Center. They lead the Brooklyn Nets by three games in the standings. Terrence Ross, who tied Vince Carters single-season franchise record with 51 points in the Raptors 126-118 loss to the Clippers on Jan. 25 at Toronto, picked up two fouls in the first quarter and finished with nine points in 28 minutes on 3-for-10 shooting. Amir Johnson hit Griffin in the head with his left arm as the four-time All-Star drove the lane on an attempted slam dunk with 9:50 left in the third quarter. The call was a flagrant 1 foul after referees James Capers, Mark Lindsay and Matt Boland viewed the replay at the scorers table, and Griffin converted both free throws for a 75-56 lead. Less than 3 minutes later, Jordan blocked a short jumper by Kyle Lowry, leading to a 3-pointer by Matt Barnes that widened the gap to 82-60, the Clippers biggest lead of the game. Griffin got his fifth foul and took a seat with 5:16 left in the third, but by then the Clippers had built an 84-66 cushion. Toronto ended the quarter with a 10-1 spurt, slicing its deficit to 92-83, but they got no closer. Willie Green helped seal the victory with a pair of 3-pointers 1:24 apart. The Clippers were 9 for 24 from behind the arc, improving to 22-0 when making at least nine. NOTES: Paul was cleared on Thursday to play in Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, with the 18-32 Lakers serving as the opening act against Chicago in the Staples Center doubleheader. ... DeRozan is the first USC player to be selected to play in an All-Star Game since Gus Williams in 1983, when the Lakers hosted the event at the Forum. ... Ross will be trying to defend his All-Star slam-dunk title on Feb. 15 at New Orleans. Adidas Lite Racer Neo Uomo .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Yeezy Boost 350 Tan Italia . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. http://www.adisuperstar.it/zx-flux.html .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Adidas Zx 700 Uomo . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. Adidas Superstar Rosse . Despite the cost, effort and an improved steroid test, its possible that very few -- if any -- positives will be detected, Dr. Richard Budgett told The Associated Press in an interview. "We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said.AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas said Wednesday it has agreed to pay former coach Mack Brown $2.75 million that would have been owed him if he had been fired, and place him in a one-year, $500,000 job as a special assistant to the president for athletics. Both options had been part of Browns original contract in separate clauses in case of termination or resignation. Brown announced on Dec. 14 that he would step down after Texas bowl game and called it a "mutual" decision between himself, school President Bill Powers and athletic director Steve Patterson. He has been replaced by Charlie Strong. Brown had reportedly been negotiating for more money. Texas agreeing to pay Brown his severance buyout and give him the job raised the question whether he was fired or resigned and why he would get both options. "He resigned," Texas spokesman Nick Voinis said. "This is what was agreed to Were honouring his contract." Browns attorney, Joe Jamail, did not immediately return telephone messages seeking comment. The University of Texas System Board of Regents, which approved BBrowns contract and most recently approved an extension in 2012, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.dddddddddddd Brown was under contract through 2020 and was one of the highest-paid coaches in the country at more than $5.4 million per year. But the coach who won the 2005 national championship and played for another in 2009 left after a four-year run that saw the Longhorns lose at least four games every season. The contract included language that allowed Brown to move to "another significant position within the university" at a minimum of $500,000 per year if he "voluntarily relinquishes his duties" as coach. Browns new job will concentrate on fundraising for the nations wealthiest athletic department. The contract also had the $2.75 million termination payment if he was fired before Dec. 31, 2014, to be paid in four equal annual installments. The same section said that if Brown were fired, left for another program or become otherwise unable to do his job, "all obligations" under the contract "shall cease." Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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