Clippers blow past Lakers in second half for 120-97 victory

The Lakers were beaten soundly by the Clippers, 120-97, losing the season series to their Staples Center roommates, 3-1.

After a relatively competitive first half, with the Lakers trailing by eight at intermission, the Clippers exploded for 37 points in the third quarter, building a 22-point lead heading into the fourth.

All-Stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul led all scorers with 23 points apiece. J.J. Redick added 15 points while DeAndre Jordan notched a double-double (11 points, 12 rebounds) and had four blocked shots. Darren Collison scored 14 points and Hedo Turkoglu added 10 off the bench.

The Lakers were led by Jordan Hill with 22 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting. Hill missed a double-double by a single rebound. Robert Sacre had 10 rebounds but was short a point for a double-double.

Nick Young scored 18 points but sustained what appeared to be a leg injury in the third quarter. He returned to play briefly in the fourth, after getting his left knee wrapped and iced.

Kent Bazemore was lost in the second quarter with a right foot injury, needing to be helped off the court and taken directly to the locker room. His initial X-ray was negative for a fracture.

The Lakers were once again short-staffed with Pau Gasol (vertigo), Chris Kaman (calf), Jordan Farmar (groin), Steve Nash (back), Kobe Bryant (knee) and Xavier Henry (knee).

Jodie Meeks added 17 points for the Lakers in 39 minutes. Kendall Marshall played almost 42 minutes, scoring 10 points with 11 assists. Wesley Johnson also added 10 points.

The Clippers (55-23) have already clinched the Pacific Division title and a top-four playoff seeding. The Lakers (25-52) have improved their lottery position with four consecutive losses.

The Lakers will host the Houston Rockets (50-25) on Tuesday. The Clippers (54-23) will welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder (55-20) on Wednesday.

Clippers 94, Lakers 72 (end of third quarter)

Nick Young took a long time to get up off the court, ssutaining what appeared to be a leg injury, or possibly foot or ankle, in the final minute of the third quarter.

The Lakers started the game with nine players but might be down to seven as the Clippers pulled ahead by 22 points to finish the quarter.

Blake Griffin and Chris Paul lead all scorers with 23 points apiece for the Clippers, while center DeAndre Jordan had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The Lakers were led by Jordan Hill with 20 points and nine rebounds. Kendall Marshall had 10 assists along with five points. Young scored 18 points before the injury. His status for the fourth quarter isn’t yet clear.

The Clippers shot 61% from the field and 58.3% from three-point range. The Lakers made only 41.3% and 17.4% of their shots from the field and three-point range.

Clippers 57, Lakers 49 (halftime)

Kent Bazemore injured his right foot, needing help to leave the court and heading straight to the locker room. The Lakers lost their backup point guard in Bazemore, adding another to the long list of hurt players this season.

The Lakers had taken a two-point lead over the Clippers in the second quarter, but it didn’t last.

Nick Young gave the Lakers 17 points off the bench. Jordan Hill added 16 points for the Lakers, who shot 41.5% from the field but only 20% (3 of 15) from three-point range to fall behind by as many as 13 points.

Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 16 points while Chris Paul added 13 and J.J. Redick 11.

The Clippers shot an impressive 60.5% from the field but did commit 13 turnovers.

The Lakers -- down to just one point guard in Kendall Marshall following the injury to Bazemore, who is actually a swing player and not a point guard -- had only had seven miscues.

Clippers 25, Lakers 22 (end of first quarter)

Nick Young helped the Lakers come back from what had once been a seven-point deficit to the Clippers, scoring eight points in 5 1/2 five minutes to make it a three-point game by the end of the first quarter.

Chris Paul and J.J. Redick led the Clippers with seven points apiece for the Clippers, who shot 55% from the field.

Jordan Hill also had eight points for the Lakers, who shot 40% from the field.

The Clippers had seven turnovers and the Lakers four in the quarter.

Pregame

The Lakers (25-51) visit the Clippers (54-23) on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center.

While the Clippers have already clinched the Pacific Division title, they’re still fighting for the best playoff seeding they can manage.

Pau Gasol (vertigo), Chris Kaman (calf), Steve Nash (back), Kobe Bryant (knee), Xavier Henry (knee, wrist) and Jordan Farmar (groin) are all expected to sit out.

The Clippers will sit Jamal Crawford (Achilles’ tendon) and Danny Granger (hamstring).

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers at Clippers

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.