Lou Williams, Jordan lead Clippers over Magic, 106-95
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Lou Williams scored 31 points, DeAndre Jordan had 16 points and 20 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers opened a four-game road trip with a 106-95 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
The Clippers shot 54 percent in the second half to win their third straight in a matchup of injury-riddled teams.
Jonathon Simmons scored 20 points for the Magic, who have lost 14 of 17. Mario Hezonja added 17 points and nine rebounds in his second start of the season.
Making only eight of their first 30 shots, the Clippers fell behind by 12 points midway through the second quarter. But Williams connected on three 3-pointers and Austin Rivers added one during a 14-0 run, and the Clippers (11-15) finished the first half by outscoring the Magic 24-7 to take a 45-40 lead.
Nikola Vucevic hit a mid-range jumper to put the Magic (11-18) up 55-54 midway through the third quarter, but Williams answered quickly with a basket to regain the lead for the Clippers permanently.
The shooting of Williams and Sam Dekker, both of whom came off the bench, helped the Clippers expand their lead to 16 points in the final minutes.
Dekker finished with 12 points and Williams had eight assists.
Rivers left the game in the final seconds of the first half after running into the elbow of Simmons, and did not return.
TIP-INS
Clippers: F Danilo Gallinari is not on the road trip due to a left glute contusion. ... F Blake Griffin missed his seventh straight game with a left MCL strain.
Magic: With F Aaron Gordon (concussion) and G Arron Afflalo (back spasms) out, the active roster included four players from the G League's Lakeland Magic. One was rookie F Wes Iwundu, who made his first NBA start. ... Rookie F Jonathan Isaac hopes to return to practice Thursday after missing 17 games with a sprained right ankle.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Visit Washington on Friday.
Magic: Hosts Portland on Friday.
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