Minus Griffin, Clippers beat short-handed Jazz 109-104

Additionally, their field goal, 3-point and rebound percentages without Griffin would rank last in the league. Although injuries to the quad have a tenancy to linger more than others, the lesser severity of the tear means Griffin’s absence will likely be measured in weeks instead of months and that surgery will hopefully not be required. Blake Griffin gave the team 13 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists while J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford added 14 and 13 points respectively.

For the Clippers, however, it will be at least two weeks without their All-Star forward, at which time he’ll be reevaluated.

Bryant is the leading scorer in NBA All-Star Game history with 280 points and only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) has appeared in more All-Star matches than the Lakers guard.

“We’ve had to do that before”, said Paul, who had 23 points and six assists.

In Favors’ case, back spasms are keeping him out of action tonight and leaving a Jazz team already missing center Rudy Gobert desperately thin in the front court. G Joe Ingles scored a season-high 14 points. Blake Griffin forgot how to do that for a second. Guards Trey Burke and Joe Ingles each made 3-pointers to help Utah close the quarter on a 7-0 run and cut its deficit to 79-77. Wesley Johnson also entered at that time and scored five of the Clippers’ nine points in a period in which they allowed 27.

Byron Scott said he’s more likely than not to keep the same starting lineup through the last few games of December.

Memphis shot 30 percent during an 18-point fourth quarter in Saturday’s 98-92 loss to the Hornets, a game it led by 12 four minutes into the second half.

“I think Kobe should be on the All-Star team”, Rivers said.

Chris Paul – “This was great, a good win for us especially going into this trip knowing we’re going to be without (Griffin)”. The 20-year Lakers veteran received more votes than Stephen Curry, LeBron James, or anyone else in the National Basketball Association despite struggling in his swan-song season. He had been sitting too long, coach Bryon Scott said. Clippers center DeAndre Jordan posted his 16th double-double of the season.

The Clippers took an 85-57 lead into the fourth, and both coaches rested all of their starters until the Lakers started to make a move led by Russell, Julius Randle and Marcelo Huertas. His injury thrusts power forward Josh Smith back into relevancy.