The Sports Xchange
Dec 13, 2017
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Reserve guard Lou Williams scored 31 points, and the Los Angeles Clippers won their third consecutive game, pounding the Orlando Magic 106-95 on Wednesday night at the Amway Center.
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan dominated around the basket with 16 points and 20 rebounds. Sam Dekker had 12 points, hitting two of his four 3-point attempts for Los Angeles (11-15).
Jonathon Simmons led the Magic (11-18) with 20 and eight assists. Center Nikola Vucevic had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Elfrid Payton scored 13 points. Mario Hezonja, in his second start of the season, managed 17 points and nine rebounds.
Clippers starting guard Austin Rivers, who scored nine points, left the game late in the second quarter and never returned after being hit in the face with an elbow from Simmons.
Rivers, who was trying to stop Simmons from finishing a layup, was called for a foul. He stayed on the ground for two minutes after the play while teammates gathered around. He was taken to the locker room and checked for concussion-like symptoms.
Williams, who scored 35 points last week against the Wizards, made 11 of 22 shots Wednesday and added eight assists.
After a poor first quarter, the Clippers went on a 14-0 run in the second and never relinquished the lead. The Magic never seriously challenged in the second half.
The Clippers led 74-68 going into the fourth period. They led by as many as 11 points in the third after a 3-pointer by C.J. Williams.
Los Angeles was ahead 45-40 at intermission, riding a 24-7 run that closed the second period. They scored 14 consecutive points during that surge.
Williams had 14 points in the first half, but he made only 4 of 10 shots. Hezonja led the Magic with 12 first-half points. Orlando led by as many as 12 points in the first quarter.
NOTES: The Magic activated four players Wednesday from their G League team, a reflection of their injury woes. Leading scorer F Aaron Gordon remained in the NBA's concussion protocol. Orlando also was without its second leading scorer G/F Evan Fournier (sprained right ankle). ... The Clippers beat the Magic for the eighth consecutive time. ... Los Angeles G Lou Williams is averaging 18.6 points as a reserve this season, tops in the NBA. ... After the game, the Clippers left for Washington, where they play game two of a four-game road trip Friday night. The Magic, who lost for the 14th time in the past 16 games, are home Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers.