Best of NBA: Clippers ride bench to key win over Spurs

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LOS ANGELES -- Chris Paul scored 19 points before injuring his left hamstring to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 106-101 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

Paul added seven rebounds and six assists before leaving the game late in the third quarter. Los Angeles was already missing its other star Blake Griffin, who is out with a knee injury.

The Clippers used their bench in the fourth quarter to seal the victory, only the Spurs second on the road this season. Los Angeles' reserves outscored San Antonio's 58-33.

The Spurs had started the season 15-1 on the road. Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Pau Gasol added 19 points and eight rebounds.

The Clippers used some tight defense to take a 57-45 lead at the break. They held the Spurs to 38.5 percent shooting at the half, forced eight turnovers and had allowed them to get off only six 3-point attempts.

Paul already had 13 points, five assists and five rebounds at the half (see full recap).

Durant, Warriors rally for win over Nets
NEW YORK -- Kevin Durant had 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and the Golden State Warriors turned an ugly start into an easy finish in a 117-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night.

Klay Thompson added 23 points for the Warriors, who opened a three-game road trip that leads into their NBA Finals rematch in Cleveland on Christmas. They didn't look ready while falling behind by 16 at halftime, but were back to their sometimes unstoppable selves while outscoring the Nets by 32 points over the final 24 minutes.

Stephen Curry and Zaza Pachulia each finished with 15 points for the Warriors, who played without Draymond Green, who returned to the Bay Area early Thursday after the birth of his son, Draymond Jamal Green Jr.

Brook Lopez scored 28 points, but just five in the second half as the Nets dropped their fourth straight (see full recap).

Isaiah Thomas, Celtics top Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS -- Isaiah Thomas had 28 points and nine assists, helping the Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 109-102 on Thursday night.

Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder each scored 15 points for the Celtics, who have won four in a row. Marcus Smart had 12 points, and Amir Johnson and Kelly Olnyk finished with 11 apiece.

Boston outscored Indiana 29-9 in the second quarter, turning a nine-point deficit into a 51-40 halftime lead. The Pacers pulled within four late in the game, but were unable to catch the Celtics down the stretch.

Jeff Teague led Indiana with 31 points and eight assists. Paul George scored 19 points, and Thaddeus Young had 15 points and 12 rebounds for his second straight double-double (see full recap).

Rose helps Knicks beat Magic
NEW YORK -- Derrick Rose scored 19 points, Kyle O'Quinn had 14 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, and the New York Knicks beat the Orlando Magic 106-95 on Thursday night.

Carmelo Anthony and Willy Hernangomez each had 15 points for New York, which has won two in a row since a three-game losing streak. Kristaps Porzingis scored 12 points and reserve Brandon Jennings had 12 assists in 22 minutes.

Orlando led only once, 12-11 on D.J. Augustin's short jumper with 6:13 left in the first quarter. The Knicks responded with a 16-5 run for a 27-17 lead.

Serge Ibaka led the Magic with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Evan Fournier scored 21 points (see full recap).

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