LaMarcus Aldridge scored a team-high 32 points to help the Portland Trail Blazers to a 116-112 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Boxing Day.
Aldridge notched seven of his points during an important overtime period, while Wesley Matthews hit four straight free throws over the final 1:05 to help Portland improve their NBA-best record to 24-5.
The Clippers were left dumbfounded as an outstanding performance from their key man Chris Paul saw him score 34 points, 16 assists and six steals, but it just wasn't enough to stop the combined efforts of Aldridge, Matthews and Nicolas Batum, with the latter helping to force overtime with a three-pointer with 5.3 seconds left in regulation time.
The victory sees the Blazers holding first position in the Northwest Division.
Christopher Dodd
