LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers new owner Steve Ballmer attended his first home game Wednesday night at Staples Center and the Clippers broke out of their preseason funk with a 108-105 victory over Phoenix on Wednesday night.
Blake Griffin scored 35 points and Chris Paul added 34.
Trailing 80-79 after three quarters, Paul and Griffin combined to score 26 of Los Angeles’ 29 points in the fourth quarter. Paul’s two free throws with 5 seconds remaining gave the Clippers a three-point lead. Gerald Green’s 3-pointer attempt at the buzzer was off the mark and Los Angeles held on for the win.
Eric Bledsoe led Phoenix with 27 points and Green added 23.
Ballmer officially took over ownership of the Clippers in August.
TIP-INS
Clippers: Prior to Wednesday’s game, LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers said he didn’t really know much about last Sunday’s Las Vegas controversy concerning Clippers forward Blake Griffin. Griffin is alleged to have slapped a man in a club. Rivers said ‘he trusts Blake and is confident everything will work out. Griffin did not meet with the media prior to Wednesday’s game. According to the Las Vegas Police Department an investigation into the alleged incident is ongoing.
TRAINING ROOM:
Clippers: Jordan Farmer, who missed Tuesday’s game against Golden State due to lower back spasms, did not play. Rivers said veteran forward Glen Davis, who is recovering from a strained right groin, is still 3-to-4 days away from doing any ‘real work’. Rivers doubted that Davis would be ready for opening night.
Suns: Phoenix forward T.J. Warren, who suffered a thumb injury in Tuesday’s win against the Lakers, did not play Wednesday. Warren injured his thumb when he caught it on a Lakers jersey during Tuesday’s game.
BIG TURNAROUND:
In Jeff Hornacek’s first year as the Suns coach last season, Phoenix was the NBA’s most improved team. The Suns improved by 23 games, finishing with 48 wins, and narrowly missed making the playoffs.
UP NEXT
Clippers: finish preseason at home Friday against Portland. Los Angeles opens the regular season at home on October 30 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Suns: travel to Utah for their final preseason game Friday. The Suns open the regular season at home on October 29 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
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