LOS ANGELES — Still smarting from a 26-point loss to the Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers took out their frustration on the Utah Jazz.
Caron Butler scored 21 points and the Clippers rode a big third quarter to a 107-94 victory on Saturday night, completing their first season sweep of the Jazz since 1978-79.
“We had some fight, some passion, some enthusiasm, some fire," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said.
Blake Griffin and Lamar Odom added 18 points each, and DeAndre Jordan had 12 rebounds for the Pacific Division-leading Clippers, who went 4-0 against the Jazz this season and have won six straight over Utah dating to last year.
“We’re playing for something bigger than just these wins," said Chris Paul, who had 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Reserve Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 23 points, Paul Millsap added 19 and Al Jefferson 16 as their three-game winning streak ended. They dropped to 10-19 on the road.
“I wasn’t even alive 34 years ago, so it doesn’t matter back then," Jefferson said. “But we had a chance in each and every game we played them. There were two games in Utah that we were up 20-plus points and they came back. But congratulations to them for sweeping us. Hopefully we’ll meet them in the playoffs and not have to take care of it next year."
Los Angeles shot 51 percent two nights after West-leading San Antonio handed the team its worst defeat of the season.
The Clippers broke open a close game in the third when they outscored Utah 36-20. Griffin had 12 points and Butler 11 in the period that began with them leading by two. Los Angeles opened on a 23-4 run — including 14 in a row — dominated by Griffin and Butler, who combined to score all but two of their team’s points. It ended with the Clippers’ largest lead of 74-53.
Also on Saturday:
Heat 114
76ers 90
PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James had 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his 35th career triple-double and Miami cruised to its 10th straight win.
Pacers 90
Pistons 72
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — David West scored 16 points and Paul George added a double-double to help Indiana easily beat Detroit for the second time in as many nights.
Nuggets 113
Bobcats 99
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — JaVale McGee had 17 points, including seven dunks, and Denver snapped a four-game road losing streak with a victory over Charlotte.
Cavaliers 118
Magic 94
ORLANDO, Fla. — Marreese Speights scored 18 points, Alonzo Gee added 17 and Cleveland used a big fourth quarter to run past Orlando.
Wizards 105
Rockets 103
WASHINGTON — Emeka Okafor had 17 points, 11 rebounds and made the go-ahead free throw with 5.2 seconds remaining to help Washington overcome a 3-point barrage for a win over Houston.
Hawks 103
Bucks 102
MILWAUKEE — Al Horford’s hook shot with 5.9 seconds remaining lifted Atlanta over Milwaukee.
