Recap: LA Clippers vs. Utah
Deron Williams paced a balanced Utah attack with 18 points and 13 assists as the Jazz easily disposed of the Los Angeles Clippers, 109-93, at the Staples Center.
Matt Harpring and Paul Millsap both added 17 points apiece for the Jazz, who had seven players in double figures and have won six of seven games. Ronnie Brewer chipped in with 15 points and Carlos Boozer had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
"I was trying to be more aggressive and set the tone early," Williams said. "It's just one win but it's a confidence builder. We have a long way to go."
Corey Maggette finished with 23 points for the Los Angeles Clippers, who have lost six of eight games. Chris Kaman donated 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while rookie Al Thornton and Cuttino Mobley both added 14 points.
"When you have a lot of guys scoring easy baskets it makes it tough," Corey Maggette said. "We just need to play better."
The Jazz took a 12-point cushion into the final frame and Los Angeles failed to muster any kind of a threat.
Thornton's jumper made it a 94-81 game with just under seven minutes to go but Utah quickly put the game away with a 10-3 burst. Kyle Korver got loose for a dunk before Harpring capped the flurry with a layup to give the Jazz a 20-point lead, 104-84, with 2:58 left.
Utah coasted to the finish line from there.
The Jazz had a slim 23-20 advantage after the opening 12 minutes but extended their lead to 11 points, 54-43, at intermission.
Utah continued to play frontrunner through three quarters. Thornton managed to cut the Jazz lead to four, 66-62, with a three, but Utah collected itself and closed the quarter strongly, taking a 79-67 edge into the fourth quarter.
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