Clippers nip Grizzlies, secure division lead

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers moved to the top of the NBA Pacific Division with a 98-91 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.

Blake Griffin scored 20 points and Chris Paul added 18 points and seven assists in his second game back from injury, helping move the Clippers above their Los Angeles rival, the Lakers.

Griffin added nine rebounds and eight assists as the Clippers maintained a narrow lead throughout the final period.

Rudy Gay scored 24 points for the Grizzlies, who missed a chance to move above defending champion Dallas in the Southwest Division.

Celtics 91,

Magic 83

In Orlando, Boston surged back from a 27-point deficit to overrun Orlando.

Paul Pierce had 24 points and 10 assists, and E’Twaun Moore added 16 points for the Celtics, with both scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter.

Dwight Howard led the Magic with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Orlando still had an 11-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but shot 2 of 17 in the final 12 minutes, scoring just eight points in the period.

The Celtics have won three straight for just the second time this season. It also was their fourth consecutive victory over the Magic. AP