Chris Paul leads Clippers to 78-77 win over 76ers
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Chris Paul made a 16-foot jumper from just beyond the free-throw line with 3.2 seconds left Friday night to push the Clippers to a 78-77 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
Paul, who finished with 24 points on 10-for-20 shooting, also was part of a double-team with Kenyon Martin that smothered Lou Williams more than 25 feet from the rim on the final possession, preventing the 76ers guard from getting a good look at the basket for a potential game-winning last shot attempt.
The Clippers got a big defensive stop when they forced the 76ers into a five-second violation with 2:15 left. But the 76ers responded with tough defense of their own, preventing the Clippers from adding to a 74-73 lead.
Williams got fouled but made just one of two free throws, and the score was tied at 74 with 1:41 left.
Paul missed for the Clippers, but Martin got the offensive rebound. That led to a basket by Caron Butler that made it 76-74, and the 76ers called a timeout with 56.7 seconds left.
Jrue Holiday, the former UCLA star, made one of two free throws with 20.4 seconds left, leaving the Clippers ahead 76-75. Blake Griffin got the rebound and L.A. called a timeout.
But Ryan Gomes threw a bad inbounds pass intended for Butler, who chased the ball down but was called for a foul on Williams with 18 seconds left.
Williams made both free throws for a 77-76 Philadelphia lead with 18 seconds left.
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-- Broderick Turner, reporting from Philadelphia