Paul's layup lifts Clippers past Thunder, 100-98

By Jeff Latzke

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, April 11 2012 8:50 p.m. MDT

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Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, right, shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends in the first quarter of an NBA baskerball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

Summary

Chris Paul scored 31 points, including the game-winning shot on a layup with 8.8 seconds left, lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a 100-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder that kept them in position for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Chris Paul scored 31 points, including the game-winning shot on a layup with 8.8 seconds left, lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a 100-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder that kept them in position for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Paul got past Thunder defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha and squeezed the ball onto the rim past the league's leading shot blocker, Serge Ibaka, to put L.A. ahead.

Kevin Durant missed a 3-pointer that could have won it, hitting the back rim on a shot over Clippers center DeAndre Jordan from the left wing.

Durant led Oklahoma City with 22 points and Russell Westbrook scored 20 on 3-for-14 shooting. The West-leading Thunder have lost four of their last six games.

Blake Griffin added 16 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for Los Angeles.

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