Clippers Beat Heat: Chris Paul Leads L.A. Beyond LeBron James, 95-89, In Overtime (VIDEO)

LOS ANGELES -- Chris Paul had 27 points and 11 assists and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied to beat Miami 95-89 in overtime Wednesday night, dealing the Heat a second straight extra-time loss.

Blake Griffin had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Caron Butler added 20 points, and Chauncey Billups had 12 for the Clippers, 9-2 against Miami at home since 2001-02. DeAndre Jordan had 11 rebounds.

LeBron James had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the 200th double-double of his career, Mario Chalmers added 18 points, Dwyane Wade 17 and Chris Bosh had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Heat, who lost at Golden State in OT a night earlier. The Heat have lost their last four games against the Clippers at Staples Center.

The Clippers outscored the Heat 9-3 in the extra session, when James, Bosh and Wade missed on a combined seven shots and the team was 1 for 10. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra got ejected after a technical foul with 5 seconds left.

Miami's Big Three struggled in the fourth quarter, too, combining to go 3 for 8 as the team went 4 of 12.

The Clippers led by two with 27 seconds left in regulation before James tied it 86 on a free throw. The Clippers called their final timeout and Paul dribbled around with James hounding him before putting up a shot that missed as time expired, forcing the Heat to the third overtime of their trip.

James missed three consecutive baskets in overtime and he was 6 of 10 from the line in the final 5:49 of regulation. Chalmers hit a 3-pointer for Miami's only points in the extra session.

Jordan scored four points and Butler had three in OT.

With the Clippers trailing 84-83, Billups got fouled by James on a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left in regulation and made all three free throws. The Clippers finished 17 of 23 from the line, while the Heat were 20 of 34.

The Heat won two video reviews in the final 16 seconds of regulation, but they failed to make a field goal in the final 7:32.

Neither team led by more than three points in a physical fourth quarter that featured Wade knocking Paul to the court and Norris Cole and Mo Williams colliding.

The Clippers ended the third quarter with a 12-9 spurt, capped by Paul whipping a pass across the lane to Jordan for a baseline dunk that sent them into the final 12 minutes leading 70-69. Paul and Butler combined for 10 of the Clippers' 12 points in the run.

Notes: Paul evened his career rivalry with good friend James at six wins apiece. ... The game drew a standing room only crowd of 19,341. The Clippers have sold out all five of their home games and 17 straight dating to last season. ... Celebs attending included Rihanna, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Sinbad, Gabrielle Union, and former Los Angeles Angels teammates Jered Weaver and John Lackey. Union is Wade's girlfriend.

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Comments

[IndependentAndProud]

03:31 AM on 01/13/2012

It's nice to see the Clippers finally, finally become a team to take seriously.

[bmwracer]

11:53 PM on 01/12/2012

LOST.

[edenooch]

06:54 PM on 01/12/2012

Lebrick = fail

[Kev Bat]

04:22 PM on 01/12/2012

Thunder and Bulls should be the teams to beat this year but the Clippers look like a great team that will only get better as the season goes on .

[farmilyman]

02:51 PM on 01/12/2012

The big three for Miami look like they spend more time on South Beach than in the gym.

[NickNafster79]

02:54 PM on 01/12/2012

When LeBron said he was taking his talents to South Beach, no one realized he meant that they would never leave the shoreline

[NickNafster79]

02:17 PM on 01/12/2012

Once again, Lebron fails to come through in the 4th quarter or OT. Yet another confirmation from the list of reasons to hate "The King."

http://www.ramblingbeachcat.com/2012/01/justified-sports-hatred-lebron-james.html

[RobietheCat]

05:28 PM on 01/12/2012

No reason to 'hate' anybody in the game.

Don't like him, don't watch him.

[SoutheastBeast]

02:02 PM on 01/12/2012

Lebron was awful last night. He looked like the guy who choked in Games 5 & 6 of last year's finals.

[kiddub]

01:39 PM on 01/12/2012

Love how Wade shoots 33% and its *his* team, yet everyone puts the loss on LeBron. At least you recognize greatness.

[SoutheastBeast]

02:03 PM on 01/12/2012

It was Lebron's fourth quarter and OT performance that was so striking. The guy kept missing from the line. Had he hit just one more free throw the Heat would have won.

[kiddub]

02:13 PM on 01/12/2012

Agreed. But Wade always escapes criticism while LeBron is the scapegoat. Wade starts off 2 or 3 for 4 from the floor and its a much different game.

[darrienramp]

06:07 PM on 01/12/2012

he hit a key free throw to tie the game.. They just fell apart defensivly.. and Its not the Miami Lebrons its the MIAMI HEAT so stop puttin the blame on lebron people. Wade had 17 points are you kidding me and bosh with 16????? the numbers show who the real choke artist are and thats Dwayne and Bosh

[greenToBlue]

12:57 PM on 01/12/2012

Clippers are about to overtake Lakers huh?

[RobietheCat]

05:29 PM on 01/12/2012

Maybe.

And good for Billy Crystal, he's been there for the Clips since the Larry Brown days.

I saw him there when Danny Manning was a Clip.

Yay Clips.

[heyitslei]

07:57 PM on 01/12/2012

About time the 'JV' team stepped up. Long time coming.

[leorangerie]

12:54 PM on 01/12/2012

Bottom line in that game: Clippers played lousy and still won. Blake kept taking twenty footers that clanked. But LeBron was 1-6 from the floor in 4th quarter, and Wade still show signs of his injury. LeBron was 9-17 from the line. That won't get it done, when he's the go-to guy.

[independent32955-2]

01:12 PM on 01/12/2012

yep, lebron blew it. he's in his own head now. when was the last time the Heat took a solid lead into the 4th Q and didnt blow it or nearly blow it?

Not sure where the mental toughness is, but James is no Jordan or Kobe and it shows in spades when he's on the floor in the 4th.

[KingGlorious]

11:52 AM on 01/12/2012

The big problem with James is that he is not mentally tough. He has the talent, on both ends of the floor.... But during crunch time he fails....His coaches obviously don't help him....

He needs a good team of sports psychologist to help him....

[Sad But True]

11:25 AM on 01/12/2012

I absolutely love it. LeBron's Fighting All-Star Brigade fails to impress yet again.

[bmwracer]

10:26 AM on 01/12/2012

Lots of free throw clangs in crunch time... I thought a trolley was rolling through Staples.

[RusStyles]

10:20 AM on 01/12/2012

The Heat will be in the finals again...The West is wide open. Th Clips, if Paul, Jordan and Griff remain healthy, will be a tough out in the playoffs. It wouldn't shock if they made it to the WC finals. Although the Lakes have issues, they can't be counted out. Dallas proabably won't make it, they lost too many key cogs..But is still a threat. Portland and Denver are looking strong, but both will wilt in the heat of the playoffs. When Westbrook improves his decision-making, and Durant adds a post game to his offensive repertoire, the Thunder will be in the finals and and win it. These playoffs are going to be very exciting!

[greenToBlue]

01:00 PM on 01/12/2012

It's Thunder too lose this. Clippers Vs Thunder in the West.

NY or Chicago Vs Heat in the East. Who knows who will win. But I like Thunder.

[RusStyles]

01:55 PM on 01/12/2012

The Bulls and Heat will probably go to 7....Adding Hamilton was a deft move. If Rose is hitting treys, they can beat the Heat...I wouldn't bet money in this series.

[SoutheastBeast]

02:04 PM on 01/12/2012

Portland and OKC are the best teams in the West. The Lakers are just behind them. The Clippers are fun to watch, but they can't rebound and have a lot of gelling to do.

[RusStyles]

02:40 PM on 01/12/2012

I wouldnt write off the Clips that easily. Paul is a real game changer. And is very hungry for a ring.

[Mister President]

07:25 PM on 01/12/2012

Griffin is fifth in the league in rebounds.

[Bee-otch Wagon]

08:59 AM on 01/12/2012

HUGE shout out to Blake Griffin! Oklahoma born and bred!
Man up Heat.. take the loss and stop cryin about it!