LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Clippers' much improved bench was on full display against thePhoenix Suns at critical times. The starters didn't get as many minutes as they usually do, and that will help Blake Griffin and Chris Paul in the long run.
Griffin had 22 points and 10 rebounds and unbeaten Los Angeles hung on down the stretch for a 102-96 victory over the Suns on Monday night.
"I think it's very important," Paul said of the contributions by the reserves. "If you look at the teams that are the most successful in our league, they have that depth. Our bench was amazing tonight, and we're going to need that."
The Clippers are off to a 4-0 start for the fourth time in franchise history and the first time since winning the first five games of the 1985-86 season, their second in Los Angeles after relocating from San Diego. They beat Phoenix for the eighth straight time in their longest streak against Phoenix in the rivalry's 46-year run.
"It's good to start the season like this," center DeAndre Jordan said. "Four-and-oh is a pretty good start. But we've got to be able keep it going and improve with every game, find out which rotations work the best and which units work the best. We've got a long season to go and we've still got a lot of work to do."
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