Clippers blast Durant, Thunder in 1st victory

Published 5:00 am Thursday, November 4, 2010

LOS ANGELES — When Eric Bledsoe headed to the bench in the final minute, the Los Angeles Clippers’ fans rose to their feet for an ovation. A few seconds later, they did the same for fellow rookie Blake Griffin.

Sure, it’s early November. But given the Clippers’ miserable past and their iffy present, just allow their fans to enjoy this glimpse of their tantalizing future.

Eric Gordon scored 27 points, Bledsoe added 17 points and eight assists in his second career start, and the Clippers held Kevin Durant to a horrific shooting night in their first victory of the season, 107-92 over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.

Griffin had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers, who rebounded from their 0-4 start with an impressive win over the Thunder and Durant, last season’s NBA scoring champion. Durant scored 16 points but missed 10 three-point attempts while going six for 24.

After complementing each other so well on the court, the Clippers’ rookies repeatedly complimented each other in the locker room.

“It’s great that we got this one,” Griffin said. “It’s good for our confidence, but we know it doesn’t get any easier. We did some good things to build on tonight, though. Eric (Bledsoe) was our MVP. The way he played, that’s great.”

Also on Wednesday:

Celtics 105

Bucks 102

BOSTON — Paul Pierce scored 12 of his 28 points in overtime to reach 20,000 points in his career, added a key steal with 27 seconds left, and helped Boston beat Milwaukee. Ray Allen had 23 points for the Celtics (4-1), Rajon Rondo had 17 points and 15 assists, and Kevin Garnett scored 13 and grabbed eight rebounds.

Hawks 94

Pistons 85

ATLANTA — Al Horford had six straight points in an 18-4 run to finish the game and undefeated Atlanta beat winless Detroit. Josh Smith had 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Hawks (5-0) remained the only unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference.

Bobcats 85

Nets 83

NEWARK, N.J. — D.J. Augustin hit two go-ahead free throws with 30.9 seconds to play and Charlotte won for the first time this season, overcoming a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat New Jersey.

76ers 101

Pacers 75

PHILADELPHIA — Elton Brand had 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Thaddeus Young scored 16 points to help Philadelphia to its first victory of the season. Sixers coach Doug Collins wasn’t around to celebrate his first win since he was hired in May.

Hornets 107

Rockets 99

HOUSTON — Chris Paul scored 25 points, Marco Belinelli added 18 and New Orleans beat winless Houston to remain unbeaten. The Hornets have won all four games this season to match the best start in franchise history.

Mavericks 102

Nuggets 101

DENVER — Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 35 points and Caron Butler hit a pivotal 3-pointer late in the game, helping Dallas hold off a Denver squad missing center Nene.

Jazz 125

Raptors 108

SALT LAKE CITY — Deron Williams came within two rebounds of a triple-double, Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap dominated inside, and Utah rolled to a huge early lead en route to a victory over Toronto.

Spurs 112

Suns 110

PHOENIX — Richard Jefferson hit four fourth-quarter three-pointers, including the go-ahead basket with 1:38 remaining, and San Antonio edged Phoenix.

Warriors 115

Grizzlies 109

OAKLAND, Calif. — Monta Ellis scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter, Dorell Wright made a career-high seven three-pointers and Golden State overcame a sloppy offensive night to beat Memphis.

Lakers 112

Kings 100

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kobe Bryant had 30 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds to help Los Angeles win its fifth straight game to open the season over Sacramento. Bryant had his 17th career triple-double.

Magic 128

Timberwolves 86

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard had 18 points, 16 rebounds and eight blocked shots to help Orlando set a franchise record for most points in the first half in a victory over Minnesota.