Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin | featured news

Blake Griffin had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the playoff-bound Los Angeles Clippers beat the Lakers 109-95 on Sunday to clinch their first Pacific Division title in franchise history against a team that has long overshadowed them.

Blake Griffin scored 23 points, Chris Paul had 17 points and 13 assists and the Los Angeles Clippers extended a franchise record with their 13th consecutive victory, 103-77 over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night.

Blake Griffin and Chris Paul had double-doubles, with Paul keying a third-quarter spurt that helped carry the Los Angeles Clippers to a 107-100 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.

Blake Griffin's jaw-dropping one-handed jam over Kendrick Perkins sent Los Angeles Clippers fans into a frenzy, fired up his teammates, lit up the Twitterverse and burned the Oklahoma City Thunder. Griffin had 22 points to go with Chris Paul's 26 points and 14 assists in a 112-100 victory Monday night that snapped the Thunder's four-game winning streak in a matchup of division leaders.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin will be named the NBA's Rookie of the Year Wednesday, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly on the announcement.

With a gospel choir at midcourt encouraging him to fly, Blake Griffin soared over a car and threw down a two-handed dunk. The rookie's remarkable leap won the slam dunk contest, and it also drove home the clear point of All-Star Saturday: The Clippers' rising star is just at the beginning of one thrilling ride.

There was no championship hangover for these Lakers. Kobe Bryant scored 33 points and Andrew Bynum added 26 on his 22nd birthday as the reigning NBA champions opened defense of their title Tuesday night with a 99-92 victory over the Clippers, their Staples Center co-tenants who played without injured No. 1 overall draft pick Blake Griffin.

The Clippers took Blake Griffin at No. 1 on a day in which Shaquille O’Neal was traded to the Cavaliers and Vince Carter was sent to the Magic.

The Clippers remain intent on keeping the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, and they're expected to make Oklahoma's Blake Griffin the top selection.