Clippers 94, Wizards 87: Chris Paul returned from a three-game absence due to a bruised kneecap to score 22 points and dish out 11 assists as Los Angeles posted its eighth straight victory over Washington.

Blake Griffin contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who shot just 36.6 percent but won for the seventh time in their last eight contests.

John Wall scored a game-high 24 points and rookie Bradley Beal added 13 for the Wizards, who lost for just the second time in six games.

After a tightly contested first quarter that ended with Los Angeles ahead by two points, the Clippers used an 11-2 run to take a 47-35 lead with 1:59 remaining in the second. Washington scored the final five points of the period to close within seven at the half and cut the deficit to 52-50 on a layup by Emeka Okafor with 7:40 left in the third.

Los Angeles regained control with an 8-0 burst and entered the fourth with a 73-64 advantage. The Wizards closed the gap to one point twice in the final two minutes, but a layup by Griffin and a jumper by Paul helped seal the win.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Clippers have won five straight home meetings with the Wizards. ... Beal was 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, giving him a total of 29 3-pointers in nine games this month. ... Griffin is 14-for-17 from the free-throw line over his last three contests.