LOS ANGELES -- J.J. Redick came through at the free-throw line in the closing seconds to help the Los Angeles Clippers pull out a win in a game that saw the teams trade leads until the final minutes.Blake Griffin had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Chris Paul had 21 points and 14 assists, and the Clippers held off the Portland Trail Blazers 121-120 Monday night to sweep the three-game season series.Redick finished with 19 points, hitting all eight of his free throws -- including three in the final seconds to push Los Angeles lead to four points.Portlands Damian Lillard hit a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left for the final margin.It was an up-and-down game, back and forth, Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. Each team made not big runs, but little runs and that was kind of the ebb and flow of the game.The final minutes saw Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and Blazers forward Evan Turner ejected. Portland center Mason Plumlee was hit with a technical after he elbowed Griffin on a drive in his face, causing a cut on his upper lip that needed three stitches after the game.That only highlighted what was a roughly played game throughout.Im sure there is no love lost, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. We play each other a lot and whenever you play each other a lot it seems like you get testy. We dont really care if you like us or not.Paul was also charged with a flagrant foul.Its just competition, Paul said. Guys out there fighting and trying to get a win and stuff happens.Paul hit a three-pointer with just over 2 minutes to play, and later added a pair of free throws to give the Clippers a 118-113 lead with 18 seconds to play.But the Blazers responded again, Lillard hit a pair of free throws himself. After Lillards last 3 the Clippers ran out the clock.It was probably our most competitive game of the year, Stotts said. It was a tough loss but I like the way we competed throughout the game. We got down and came back. It was a very good effort.C.J. McCollum had 25 points and Lillard finished with 24 points and eight assists for the Trail Blazers, who lost their fourth straight -- all on the road.The way we played tonight is the way were supposed to play, Lillard said. This is what gives us our best chance against good teams, like they are. Its what weve kind of been missing on a consistent basis. We did a good job but lost the game. We want to win.The Clippers acted like they were going to dominate early, jumping out to a 38-27 lead at the end of the first quarter. They connected on 14 of 22 field goals (63.6 percent), came up with four blocked shots and outscored Portland 14-4 to close the quarter.But Portland charged back in the second, opening with a 13-2 run and then just kept rolling. The Blazers outscored the Clippers 33-18 in the second quarter to take a 60-56 lead at the half.I thought we did a great job early being an aggressor and then somewhere we lost it, but down the stretch the guys made plays, Griffin said.A PLUM ADDITIONThe 6-11 Plumlee had a strong game, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots.TECHNICAL AFFAIRStotts also picked up a technical when he objected to foul called against McCollum on a three-point attempt with 4:14 left. Redick hit all four free throws.No comment, was all Stotts offered.TIP-INSTrail Blazers: F Al-Farouq Aminu (back contusion) was called a game-time decision, but started against the Clippers. ... Lillard scored a team-record 695 points in the Blazers first 25 games, eclipsing Clyde Drexlers previous mark of 681 in 1988.Clippers: Backup PG Austin Rivers is undergoing NBA concussion protocol and missed Mondays contest. ... Monday marked the Clippers 247th consecutive sellout at Staples Center. ... G Raymond Felton returned to the team after missing the past two games to attend his grandmothers funeral.UP NEXTTrail Blazers: Host Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.Clippers: At Orlando on Wednesday night. Ken Caminiti Jersey . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. Zack Greinke Jersey . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. http://www.customastrosjersey.com/custom-andy-pettitte-jersey-large-136y.html . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. Cesar Cedeno Jersey . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. Lance Mccullers Jr. Jersey . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display.Tony Pulis was full of praise for the performance of 17-year-old Jonathan Leko on his first Premier League start but was critical of U21 football following his sides 3-0 defeat to West Ham. Leko became the first player born in 1999 to make a Premier League start and he put in an impressive display despite seeing his side well beaten by an in-form West Ham team.But despite his impressive showing, Pulis warned of the challenge facing Leko and other academy prospects trying to make the breakthrough from the U21s to senior football. Tony Pulis praised the performance of 17-year-old Jonathan Leko Weve got a lot of talent in the academy and Johns got raw talent, Pulis told Sky Sports.What they need is they need to be out playing against men, learning their trade.Ive watched a lot of it and U21s football is no preparation for players, who are then going to make that step to league or Premier League football, he added. Leko made his first Premier League start in West Broms 3-0 defeat to West Ham We have to get these kids with raw talent out playing against men and playing in front of supporters are paying to see their team win.Theyll be hardened by it and work with professional people who know the game. You get taught doing it not talking about it. Phil Thompson gives his reaction to West Hams 3-0 away victory against West Brom Despite the defeat, Lekos emergence was a real positive for West Brom and Pulis was full of praise for his performance, comparing him to Crystal Palace wideman Yannick Bolasie.ddddddddddddHes got unbelievable talent Pulis said.I worked with Bolasie at Crystal Palace and he could do things that you thought were just natural.Johns the same. His balance and his change of pace are superb and hell score goals.Hes a very good talent as long as he keeps his feet on the ground. Also See: Hammers stay in Euro hunt Match in a minute Pulis: We didnt take chances Table ' ' '
