Clippers win in overtime, lose Chauncey Billups to injury
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The good news for the Clippers was that they beat the Orlando Magic, 107-102, in overtime Monday night at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.
The bad news came when Chauncey Billups injured his left Achilles tendon with 5 minutes 48 seconds left in a game.
He was helped off the court and into the Clippers’ locker room and never returned.
The Clippers said Billups, 35, will be evaluated Tuesday when the team arrives in Cleveland.
Billups had 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter. He had made three three-pointers in the fourth, his last giving the Clippers an 82-74 lead.
The Clippers had to push on in the overtime without Billups.
But then DeAndre Jordan fouled out with 4:20 left in overtime and the score tied at 94-94.
Reggie Evans, who replaced Jordan, fouled out with 2:06 left in the OT and the Clippers now trailing 100-98.
Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro inserted Brian Cook into the lineup.
Blake Griffin started defending Dwight Howard, with plenty of double- and triple-team help from his teammates.
The Clippers began to scramble on defense and forced Glen Davis into a turnover.
Chris Paul found Caron Butler for a three-pointer and a 101-100 Clippers lead.
After more good defense, Paul scored for a 103-100 Clippers lead with 1:16 left in the overtime.
After Jason Richardson scored, the Clippers got back-to-back offensive rebounds on the same possession, one by Ryan Gomes and the other by Butler.
That led to two free throws that Mo Williams made for a 105-102 Clippers lead.
Paul made two more free throws to finish with 29 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
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-- Broderick Turner, reporting from Orlando, Fla.