Clips face Suns in Pacific showdown
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Clippers will take their seven-game winning streak into a Monday night matchup with Pacific Division rivals, the Phoenix Suns, at Staples Center.
The Clippers haven't lost since a road setback against the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 23. Since, LA has rattled off three straight home wins and Monday's tilt with the Suns will close a four-game homestand.
The Clippers head east for three games against the Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Saturday, the Clippers handled Anthony Davis as best they could and walked out of the Staples Center with a 120-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Davis finished with 26 points for the Pelicans, but Blake Griffin stuffed the stat sheet with 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Griffin went over 7,000 points for his career on Saturday. He came into the game needing 12 to hit the mark.
"We feel very comfortable right now," he said. "Guys are making the right plays."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}J.J. Redick made five 3-pointers en route to 21 points for the Clippers, who have won nine of their last 10. Jamal Crawford tallied 20 points and Chris Paul donated 18 points and 16 assists.
The Suns will finish a tough three-game road trip on Monday. Thus far, Phoenix is 1-1 with an impressive win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, and a 100-95 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Phoenix received 23 points from Eric Bledsoe and 16 from sixth man Gerald Green, but couldn't overcome a slow start and build off Friday's 118-106 win at Dallas.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We didn't come out with the energy. I don't know why," Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek said. "They played a back-to-back, too. We're just as young as they are. That shouldn't have been an excuse. It's something we've got to figure out with our guys. We told them in the locker room that's the been the fourth or fifth time that we've had to say that this year -- that you have to come ready to play. That's on them to be mentally prepared for the game."
P.J. Tucker added 15 for the Suns and Goran Dragic contributed 13 points and six assists.
The Morris twins - Markieff and Marcus - struggled versus the Rockets. They combined for 10 points on 4-for-23 shooting.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Suns return home on Tuesday to face the Miami Heat, then welcome the Detroit Pistons to Phoenix on Friday.
The Clippers bested the Suns on Nov. 15 at Staples Center and have taken four straight meetings. LA has taken five of the last six as host in this series.