NBA

Clippers’ streak hits 17

— Jamal Crawford scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Utah Jazz 107-96 on Sunday night for their 17th consecutive victory, becoming the third NBA team to record a perfect month.

The Clippers went 16-0 in December to join the 1995-1996 San Antonio Spurs and 1971-1972 Lakers as the only teams to go undefeated over a month. Their winning streak is the NBA’s longest since Boston won 19 in a row four years ago.

Caron Butler led the Clippers with 29 points, making all six of his three-pointers. Chris Paul added 19 points and nine assists to help them maintain the league’s best record at 25-6.

Al Jefferson scored 30 points - one off his season high - to lead Utah, which fell victim for the third time during the Clippers’ streak. The Jazz lost 116-114 on Friday when the Clippers rallied from 19 points down, and they were beaten 105-104 on Dec. 3, both times at home.

Gordon Hayward added 16 points as the Jazz lost their third in a row and seventh in the last nine games.

Sports, Pages 18 on 12/31/2012

Upcoming Events