LA Tops POR at Buzzer

Paul Pierce did all of his damage on the defensive end, as the Los Angeles Clippers edged the Portland Trail Blazers in a Thursday night thriller at the Staples Center.

In his 34th start, No. 34 grabbed four rebounds, swiped two steals and blocked a shot in the 96-94 victory.

Although Paul was held scoreless through 14:37, his teammates more than made up for it. Point guard Chris Paul poured in 25 points with seven assists, including the inbounds pass that led to the game-winning shot.

“I don’t how he got it to him,” coach Doc Rivers said of CP3’s remarkable assist. “That just tells you who Chris is.”

With 1.1 seconds on the clock, CP3 nutmegged a pass through center Mason Plumlee’s legs for shooting guard J.J. Redick to rip off the deciding shot in time.

“Obviously I had to get open and (center DeAndre Jordan) had to screen,” Redick said, “but there was a moment when I could have gone over the screen, and at the last second I went under, and DJ changed the angle. I was worried Chris was going to throw it like I was going over the top. I probably shouldn’t have worried. He doesn’t panic. He made a hell of a pass.”

That play wouldn’t have been possible if not for the grind-it-out mentality the Clippers displayed throughout the contest.

“It’s all about confidence,” CP3 said. “I think our spirit was right again today.”

In a game that featured 12 ties and 13 lead changes, the Clippers kept their composure. They trailed seven, 87-80, with 2:44 to go in the fourth, but pesky defense paired with timely offense gave them the edge they needed down the stretch.

Guard Jamal Crawford drove through the lane for a finger roll to get within two before giving L.A. the lead with a three, 89-88, with 51.4 seconds remaining.

Portland point guard Damian Lillard (18 points, eight assists) responded with a three-point play, hitting the turnaround jumper and the and-one for a 91-89 lead. CP3 knocked down a pair of free throws, making it 91-all, before Lillard struck again, this time with a step-back trey.

Not to be discouraged, Crawford topped his 23-point performance with a triple, knotting it at 94 with 11 seconds left.

“He really was the difference,” Rivers said of Crawford.