NBA scores 2016: Clippers and Blazers get chippy in final season meeting

Two players were ejected and three more got T’d up in a testy rivalry game.

Dec 13, 2016, 1:00 PM UTC

NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

It was a game that left Blake Griffin bloodied, both DeAndre Jordan and Evan Turner ejected, and Chris Paul, Terry Stotts, and Mason Plumlee assessed technical fouls.

The Trail Blazers trailed the Clippers by five when an already testy game between rivals boiled over late in the fourth. It was the last of four meetings on the season, and the late-game shoving match culminated with Jordan repeatedly putting a finger in Turner’s face, while Turner slapped it away both times. Both were assessed double technical fouls and ejected from the game with less than 30 seconds remaining.

In the end, the Clippers outlasted the Trail Blazers, 121-120, in a nail-biter that lasted to the very end. Paul followed his 20-assist, no-turnover performance with 21 points and 14 assists, leading his team to its 18th win of the season. Paul had a few dazzling moves, including a step-back move that froze Moe Harkless in his sneakers.

And this look-ahead lob to a sprinting Jordan:

Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined for 49 points on 16-of-34 shooting, and Plumlee added an extra 18 points. There were some hidden gems, too, in a game chock full o’ bad blood, like this gorgeous Lillard scoop lay-up around two defenders.

But the Trail Blazers had no answer for Blake Griffin, who pounded Portland for 26 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.

The Clippers handed the Trail Blazers their fourth straight loss, sending them two games below .500. Luckily, Portland (12-14) seems to be the line of demarkation in the West as the No. 8 seed with the Kings (9-15), Lakers (10-17), and Nuggets (9-16) all far away enough to afford the Blazers some breathing room.

The Clippers-Trail Blazers matchup was Tuesday’s edgiest game, but there were a few highlights scattered across the league. Here’s a look at what you missed:

Paul George had a sweet no-look pass

George finished with 22 points, but his three assists included this look-away dime to an open Glenn Robinson III in the corner. There was absolutely no way anyone was missing a shot off of a pass like that. Plays like these are just something to behold.

Terrence Ross missed a windmill

You can’t make ‘em all. And 2013 Slam Dunk champ Terrence Ross found that out the hard way when he clanked this windmill attempt off the front of the rim on Tuesday. Still, Ross had 25 points off the bench for Toronto and helped his team build a 22-point win over Milwaukee. Maybe he should try layups next time.

Luke Walton got tossed for cursing out a referee

You can decipher Luke Walton’s words for yourself. And if not, just take Jordan Clarkson’s facial expression as confirmation.

The Lakers’ head coach got tossed eight minutes into his team’s 116-92 loss to the Kings. Maybe there’s some bad blood between Walton and the ref that tossed him.

Monday’s five top performers

Goran Dragic: 34 points, 14-of-23 shooting, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, plus-26

Dragic’s 34 points is the most he’s scored in a Heat uniform, and he did it from inside and outside to help lead his team to a much-needed win over Washington.

James Harden: 36 points, 12-of-27 shooting, 11 assists, 8 rebounds

Even on a relatively inefficient shooting night, Harden kept his team afloat against a resilient Nets team. He continued to find shooters, racking up 11 assists, and made a calm foul line jumper late in the fourth to keep Brooklyn at bay.

Myles Turner: 22 points, 9-of-16 shooting, 4-of-7 on threes, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks

An impressive showing for the second-year big man, who showcased his full offensive game and his unrelenting defensive effort.

Nikola Jokic: 27 points, 10-of-12 shooting, 11 rebounds, 4 assists

Jokic was Denver’s sixth man in a losing effort. He was virtually unstoppable, but Dallas built a lead as big as 28 points, and the Nuggets could never quite get their footing.

DeMarcus Cousins: 31 points, 12-of-21 shooting, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals

Cousins stuffed the stat sheet, including eight turnovers, and propelled his Kings team to its ninth win of the season. Sacramento is the ninth seed in the West, but has a lot of ground to make up to catch Portland.