Injury-hit Clippers off to worst start in 12 seasons
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The New Jersey Nets pulled away in the closing stages for a 110-96 road victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, condemning the home team to its worst start in 12 seasons.
Brook Lopez scored 24 points and Travis Outlaw added 23 for the Nets (4-6), who used a late run in the fourth quarter to claim just their second win in eight games.
The Clippers lost their sixth straight to fall to 1-10, their worst mark since beginning the 1998-99 campaign 0-17.
Elsewhere in the National Basketball Association, it was: Mavericks 98, Hornets 95; Bobcats 113, Timberwolves 110; Magic 89, Grizzlies 72; Suns 100, Nuggets 94; Thunder 115, Jazz 108; and Warriors 101, Pistons 97.
In Los Angeles, Eric Gordon scored a game-high 30 points despite making just 6-of-20 shots from the field and the injury-laden Clippers pulled within three points with about six minutes remaining before New Jersey used a 6-0 spurt to stretch its lead.
Los Angeles played without injured starting point guard Baron Davis (knee) along with starting center Chris Kaman (ankle) and has struggled in their absence.
In the second quarter, Clippers rookie Blake Griffin was taken down hard on a flagrant foul by Devin Harris, who was ejected from the game.
Griffin, the first overall pick in the 2009 draft who failed to play a game last year because of a knee injury, stayed down for a couple of minutes but picked himself up and remained in the game.
The Nets recovered from the loss of their point guard and reserve Jordan Farmar filled in with 15 points and 12 assists.
"Sometimes, you've got to trust your team when things happen," Harris said. "Guys were ready to play tonight."
The Nets took control early with a 55-44 lead at halftime and shot 59 percent overall.
In Dallas, the Mavericks handed the Hornets their first loss of the season, with Jason Terry scoring 26 points, including the go-ahead jumper in the final minute.
New Orleans, which had been off to a franchise-best 8-0 start, got 22 points from Chris Paul, but only two came in the second half.
Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and 10 rebounds to help the Mavericks stretch their winning streak to four games.
Peja Stojakovic added 17 points and Emeka Okafor pulled down 14 rebounds for New Orleans.
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