Clippers top Jazz for 17th straight win

 SundayDallas 86-111 San Antonio    Detroit 96-94 MilwaukeeSacramento 118-96 Boston LA Clippers 107-96 Utah

Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Caron Butler (right) of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots over DeMarre Carroll (left) of the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Net photo.

SundayDallas 86-111 San Antonio    Detroit 96-94 MilwaukeeSacramento 118-96 Boston LA Clippers 107-96 UtahLOS ANGELES – After their 17th consecutive victory gave them a perfect month, the Los Angeles Clippers finally paused to admire their achievement.‘’We got something extremely magical going on,’’ said Caron Butler after the Clippers beat the Utah Jazz 107-96 on Sunday night to become the third team in NBA history to record a perfect month.The Clippers went 16-0 in December to join the 1995-96 San Antonio Spurs, which included Del Negro, and 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers as the only teams to go undefeated in a month. Their franchise-record winning streak is the longest since Boston won 19 in a row four years ago.Butler led the Clippers with 29 points despite not playing in the fourth quarter and made all six of his 3-pointers, including five in the opening period. Jamal Crawford scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. Blake Griffin piled up five fouls and was held to seven points after getting double-teamed.