The Los Angeles Clippers turned a bad day into a good night with a big game from their leader. Chris Paul scored 26 points, including what turned out to be the game-winner with 33.7 seconds remaining, as the undermanned Clippers overcame a late scare for a 91-89 road win over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Victory came after Clippers All-Star forward Blake Griffin was sent home to Los Angeles earlier in the day after breaking his right hand Sunday in an altercation with an assistant equipment manager and longtime friend Matias Testi during an argument in a Toronto restaurant.
Out since Christmas because of a partially torn left quadriceps, Grfffin underwent hand surgery Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks.  
“All the stuff the last 48 hours. They always say it’s the game that brings your team back and you can feel that tonight. That was a good win for our team,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.
Paul said: “It’s tough and I don’t know much about it. But for me I have to lead this team. We’ve got to win games.”
Griffin used his twitter account to issue an apology for his actions. “A situation among friends escalated and I regret the way I handled myself towards someone I care about. I want to apologize to the Clippers organization, my teammates and the fans for creating distractions,” he said. “I am working with the team on a resolution and getting back in the game as soon as possible.”
JJ Redick netted 19 points, Wesley Johnson had 15 while DeAndre Jordan grabbed 19 rebounds for the Clippers (29-16), who improved to 2-2 on their five-game road trip. The Clippers trailed 72-68 late in the third quarter before going on a 13-0 blitz to take an 81-72 advantage with 7:17 left to play.   
The Pacers regrouped and closed to within 89-86 on a George Hill three-pointer. Paul splashed a 19-foot jumper from the right wing for some breathing room but Paul George nailed a triple out of a timeout to bring Indiana within two.
The Pacers had chance to win or tie in the final 2.1 seconds but failed to get a shot off as time expired.
“We just wanted to make it tough on them,” Paul said. “We just wanted to get a stop and defend.”    
George had 31 points and 11 rebounds while Myles Turner netted 16 for Indiana (23-22) who lost for the sixth time in the last seven outings.
Oklahoma City Thunder 128, New York Knicks 122 (OT)
Kevin Durant poured in a seven of his season-high 44 points in overtime to go along with 14 rebounds, Russell Westbrook had 30 points, 10 assists and eight boards, leading the visiting Thunder (34-13) to an eighth win in nine games after knocking off the short-handed Knicks on Tuesday.
Langston Galloway netted 21 points, and Derrick Williams had 19 with 10 rebounds for New York (22-25), who were playing without top scorer Carmelo Anthony because of right knee soreness.
Toronto Raptors 106, Washington Wizards 89
All-Star guard Kyle Lowry scored 29 points before leaving with a left wrist injury late in the game, and the Raptors (30-15) routed the visiting Wizards for a franchise-tying best ninth straight victory. An X-ray on Lowry’s wrist came back negative, the Raptors tweeted.
John Wall had 18 points with 14 assists for the Wizards (20-23) who have dropped four of five.
Dallas Mavericks 92, LA Lakers 90
German Dirk Nowitzki hit the tiebreaking jumper with 2.1 seconds remaining to cap a quiet 13-point night, and the visiting Mavericks (26-21) got their 10th
consecutive victory over the lowly Lakers (9-38) who were without sore-shouldered Kobe Bryant.
Milwaukee Bucks 107, Orlando Magic 100
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kris Middleton tossed in 25 points apiece, and the hosting Bucks (20-27) handed the sliding Magic (20-24) an 11th loss in the last 12 games.
Portland Trail Blazers 112, Sacramento Kings 97
CJ McCollum tallied 18 points, and Damian Lillard added 15 with 12 assists as the hosting Trail Blazers (21-26) cooled off red-hot DeMarcus Cousins and beat the Kings. Coming off Monday’s NBA season-high 56-point effort, Cousins led the Kings (20-25) with just 17 points.
Philadelphia 76ers 113, Phoenix Suns 103
Ish Smith had 20 points, Robert Covington added 19, and the league-worst Sixers (7-39) shaded the visiting Suns (14-32) despite Archie Goodwin’s game-high 26 points.
Miami Heat 102, Brooklyn Nets 98
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh scored 27 points apiece, and the visiting Heat (25-21) clipped the Nets (12-34).