* Clippers outscore Thunder 49-25 in second half
* Durant scores 24 in Oklahoma City loss
(adds quotes, detail)
April 16 (Reuters) – The streaking Los Angeles Clippers
knocked Oklahoma City out of first place in the West with a
forceful 92-77 victory on Monday that earned the hosts a first
playoff berth in six years.
Nick Young led a balanced attack with 19 points off the
bench, Blake Griffin added 17 and 11 rebounds and the Clippers
overwhelmed the visiting Thunder in the second half to reach the
post-season for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign.
â??”It feels great, especially to do it against one of the top
teams in the league,” Young told reporters. “â??I was too excited
(after the game). I ran to the back and was slapping hands with
everyone.”
Winners in 12 of their last 14 games, the Clippers (38-23)
also have a shot at their first ever division title, trailing
the Lakers by a game in the Pacific Division, and for third in
the West.
The Thunder (44-17), meanwhile, slipped percentage points
behind San Antonio in their see-saw tussle for the top seed in
the conference.
Kevin Durant had a team-high 24 points for Oklahoma City,
who built a nine-point halftime lead before being outscored
49-25 in the second half.
It was their second defeat at the hands of the Clippers in
less than a week following a two-point loss last Wednesday.
In the latest showdown, Los Angeles scored the game’s first
basket and did not lead again until the fourth quarter, and as
the Clippers warmed up to pull away, the Thunder suddenly went
cold and shot just 37 percent on the night.
All-Star Russell Westbrook had a particularly off game and
finished with just nine points.
Chris Paul tallied 12 and 10 assists. His arrival to the
Clippers through an off-season trade, combined with the team’s
other roster moves, signaled new promise for a franchise that
has endured too many losing seasons.
â??”It means a lot for us (to make the playoffs) but we can’t
be complacent, we have to keep pushing forward and want more,”
Griffin said. “â??We still have a lot of work to do.”
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John
O’Brien)
