Clippers continue winning streak

Blake Griffin stars on his birthday as the Los Angeles Clippers notch up their 11th consecutive victory in the NBA.

Los Angeles matched the longest winning streak in the NBA this season, equaling Portland and San Antonio [AFP]

Blake Griffin had 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists on his 25th birthday as the Los Angeles Clippers held off the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-80 for their 11th consecutive victory.

Chris Paul had 15 assists and scored 11 of his 16 points in the final 6:04 for the Clippers, who haven’t lost since 21st February.

Los Angeles matched the longest winning streak in the NBA this season, equaling 11-game runs in November by Portland and San Antonio.

“This stretch of games that we’ve played and we’ve been successful has been a huge team effort,” Griffin said.

“With our team, I don’t think it’s one guy that’s making us go. I genuinely believe it’s been a total team effort.”

The San Antonio Spurs kept their own win streak alive, topping the Utah Jazz 122-104 for their 10th straight victory.

Argentine star Manu Ginobili scored 21 points, Tony Parker had 18 points and Tim Duncan 16 for the Spurs (50-16), who became the first NBA team to 50 wins this season.

At Oklahoma City, the Dallas Mavericks stopped a seven-game, regular-season losing streak to the Thunder with a 109-86 victory.

Heat finally win

In the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat stopped their worst skid in three years with a 113-104 win over the Houston Rockets.

Ray Allen scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and LeBron James and Dwyane Wade each scored 24 for the defending champion Heat, who won for just the second time in their last seven games.

The Heat were down 97-92 following a 3-pointer by James Harden midway through the fourth, but finished the game on a 21-7 run.

The Golden State Warriors pulled within 1½ games of Portland for the fifth seed in the crowded Western playoff standings with a 113-112 win over the Trail Blazers.

In other games, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis set career highs with 40 points and 21 rebounds as the Pelicans edged the Boston Celtics 121-120 in overtime.

Davis became the first player in team history to have at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in the same game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Sacramento Kings 104-102, getting 26 points and 10 rebounds from Kevin Love.

The Phoenix Suns handed the Toronto Raptors their first loss at home since 27th February, winning 121-113, and the Charlotte Bobcats defeated the NBA-worst Milwaukee Bucks 101-92 for their fourth straight victory.

Source: AP