Reserves Jamal Crawford and Eric Bledsoe led a fourth-quarter surge that carried the visiting Los Angeles Clippers to a 102-88 victory over the New York Knicks in a battle of NBA division leaders on Sunday.
Crawford and Bledsoe combined for 13 of the Clippers' first 15 points in the final quarter as Los Angeles extended their narrow 71-70 third-quarter lead to an 86-77 bulge midway through the fourth.
New York, led by a 42-point effort by Carmelo Anthony, closed within six at 92-86 with 2:45 left, but Los Angeles streaked to a 10-2 finish to clinch their win in an early Sunday matinee that saw both teams take time to get untracked.
The victory improved the Pacific-leading Clippers to 36-17, healthy again after losing eight of their last 11 games while dealing with injuries.
The Atlantic Division-leading New York dropped to 32-17.
Los Angeles, coming off a 22-point loss on Friday to the reigning champion Miami Heat, played with their full complement of players for the first time this season and made full use of their offensive options.
Crawford, a contender for the league's Sixth Man award, finished with 27 points, and Chris Paul, who led the way for the Clippers in the first half, scored 25. Blake Griffin added 17 points and Bledsoe contributed 13.
While the Clippers benefited from balance on their scoresheet, Anthony was the primary provider for the Knicks, with only point guard Raymond Felton joining him in double-digit scoring with 20 points.
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New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) chase a loose ball in the first quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 10, 2013.
Photo: REUTERS
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New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts in front of Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) after shooting a three-point shot in the second quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 10, 2013.
Photo: REUTERS
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Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) recovers a loose ball in front of New York Knicks guard Raymond Felton (2) in the first quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 10, 2013.
Photo: REUTERS
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) drives against New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith (8) for a layup in the second quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 10, 2013.
Photo: REUTERS
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Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) lays the ball up over New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony in the first quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 10, 2013.
Photo: REUTERS
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New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) in the first quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)
Photo: REUTERS
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New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin in the first quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 10, 2013.
Photo: REUTERS
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New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) tries to pass against Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) in the first quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 10, 2013.
Photo: REUTERS
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shoots a three-point shot over New York Knicks forward Kurt Thomas (40) in the second quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 10, 2013.
Photo: REUTERS
