Clippers Hold Off Magic 113-108 For Third Straight Win

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Austin Rivers made seven 3-points and scored 25 points in his return from a concussion to help the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Orlando Magic 113-108 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory.

Rivers hit the key shot when he buried a 3-pointer from the corner with 2 minutes left to give the Clippers a nine-point lead. The Magic made it interesting, but weren't able to overcome the deficit.

Blake Griffin added 23 points, and DeAndre Jordan had 22 points and 12 rebounds. Jordan, who often struggles from the foul line, made 12 of 18 free throws.

Aaron Gordon had one of his better games for the Magic with 33 points, which included a 4-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. Evan Fournier added 24 points, and Jeff Green had 19 points.

Orlando came back from its nine-point halftime deficit in the third quarter by using Damjan Rudez to consistently hack Jordan in the final four minutes of the quarter. Jordan hit 11 of 16 free throws during that span, which included six straight in a 45-second stretch, but it was enough to slow the Clippers' offense.

Green came off the bench to hit three key 3-pointers, including the trey that tied the game 87-87 in the final seconds of the third quarter.

The Clippers were far more efficient offensive in the first half and were able to take a 60-51 lead into halftime as a result.

The Magic attempted 17 fewer free throws than Los Angeles, converted just 10 of 20. The Clippers connected on 26 of 37.

TIPS-INS

Clippers: Small forward Luc Mbah a Moute was held out with a right shoulder injury. ... Rivers had his No. 25 jersey retired at Winter Park High School in Florida on Tuesday night. Rivers, who grew up in the Orlando area, was joined for the ceremony by many of his Clippers teammates and his father, coach Doc Rivers.

Magic: Center Nikola Vucevic missed his third straight game with a sore back. ... Serge Ibaka struggled during the first half, picking up three fouls while scoring just three points in 10:17.

UP NEXT

Clippers: At Miami Heat on Friday night.

Magic: Host Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.