Portland, OR (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Clippers have missed their
closer over the last three games.
A pair of J.J. Hickson go-ahead free throws with 45.2 seconds remaining lifted
the Portland Trail Blazers to a 101-100 triumph over the Chris Paul-less
Clippers.
Portland netted the final 10 points of the contest.
Without Paul in the lineup, Los Angeles didn't tally a point over the final
2:38.
Paul sat out his third contest in a row with a bruised right kneecap, an
injury which has caused him to miss six tilts so far this season. The Clippers
have lost a season-high four straight since winning 24 of 27.
The team is 3-3 without Paul overall this year.
Nicolas Batum registered a triple-double with 20 points, 12 assists and 10
rebounds, while Damian Lillard added 20 points for Portland, which has won two
straight on the heels of a six-game losing streak.
The Sports Network