Clippers clobber Celtics

LOS ANGELES (AFP) –

Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers knocks over Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics during a 106-77 15th straight Clipper win at Staples Center on December 27, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

The Los Angeles Clippers routed the Boston Celtics 106-77 on Thursday to stretch their franchise-record NBA winning streak to 15 games.

The Clippers are the first team to win 15 in a row since the Celtics won 19 games straight in the 2008-09 season.

They improved to a league-best 23-6, staying atop the Western Conference ahead of Oklahoma City — who improved to 22-6 with a 111-105 overtime victory over Dallas.

Matt Barnes led the Clippers with 21 points, making five of their 12 three-point shots.

Jamal Crawford added 17 points and Blake Griffin contributed 15 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who last lost on November 26.

Kevin Garnett scored 16 points and Paul Pierce added 12 for the Celtics, who lost for the fifth time in seven games.

The Clippers seized control early, making nine of their first 13 shots to jump out to a 21-6 lead.

The Clippers were up 82-67 going into the fourth quarter and opened the period on an 8-0 scoring run.

In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 40 points, 26 of them coming in the second half, to help the Thunder rally from a 10-point deficit with 8:24 left in regulation.

Russell Westbrook scored 16 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:04 to play in overtime.

Serge Ibaka added 19 points and 17 rebounds for Oklahoma City, who have now won 11 straight on their home floor.