Clippers beat Thunder to end playoff drought

LOS ANGELES - Reuters

AFP Photo

The streaking Los Angeles Clippers knocked Oklahoma City out of first place in the West with a forceful 92-77 victory on April 16 that earned the hosts a first playoff berth in six years.

Nick Young led a balanced attack with 19 points off the bench, Blake Griffin added 17 and 11 rebounds and the Clippers overwhelmed the visiting Thunder in the second half to reach the post-season for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign.

”It feels great, especially to do it against one of the top teams in the league,” Young told reporters. “I ran to the back and was slapping hands with everyone.”

Winners in 12 of their last 14 games, the Clippers (38-23) also have a shot at their first ever division title, trailing the Lakers by a game in the Pacific Division, and for third in the West.

The Thunder (44-17) slipped behind San Antonio in the see-saw tussle for the top seed in the conference.