Clippers beat Celtics in Rivers' return

Jamal Crawford hit a pair of three-pointers 23 seconds apart to help the Clippers pull away in the last three minutes and former Celtics coach Doc Rivers won his first game back in Boston when Los Angeles beat the Celtics, 96-88, Wednesday night.

Crawford came off the bench to score 21 points and Chris Paul had 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Blake Griffin scored 18 points for the Clippers, who won for the seventh time in 10 games.

Jeff Green scored 29 points against his former coach, who was traded to Los Angeles last summer for a first-round draft pick. Jordan Crawford had 20 points and nine assists, and Brandon Bass had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who lost their second in a row.

Boston lost to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night, kicking off a reunion week of sorts by facing former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. One night later, Rivers returned to the TD Garden, where the banner for the franchise's unprecedented 17th NBA title hangs from the rafters.

"I'm an emotional guy," Rivers said beforehand. "I just hope I can coach tonight."

Russell Westbrook scored 27 points and Kevin Durant added 18 to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 116-100 victory over the Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn.

Jameer Nelson had 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and Orlando snapped a six-game losing streak with a 92-83 victory over host Charlotte.

Glen Davis added 17 points and 12 rebounds and Nikola Vucevic chipped in with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Arron Afflalo had 16 points.

Tim Duncan had 21 points and 16 rebounds while playing just 24 minutes and Tony Parker added 15 points in the San Antonio Spurs' 109-77 rout of the of the Bucks in Milwaukee.

- Associated Press