Blake Griffin scored 23 points and added 14 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers overcame the absence of the injured Chris Paul, holding off a late rally by the visiting New Jersey Nets for a 101-91 win on Monday.

Paul, the Clippers' All-Star point guard, missed the game because of a strained left hamstring sustained during Saturday's win over the Lakers.

Griffin recorded his seventh double-double of the season for the Clippers, who won the game despite making 19 of 35 free throws.

Los Angeles (7-3) built an 18-point lead in the first quarter and led by double figures for most of the game, but the Nets came back in the fourth quarter.

New Jersey (3-11) tied the game at 81 on Deron Williams' 3-pointer midway through the final period. After the teams exchanged baskets, Randy Foye scored on back-to-back layups to give Los Angeles a four-point lead.

Chauncey Billups' 3-pointer put the Clippers ahead 97-89 with 1:09 to play. Los Angeles sealed the game at the foul line.

Caron Butler scored 20 points, including 15 in the opening period. Billups also scored 20.

Rookie MarShon Brooks led the Nets with 19 points, including 13 in the third quarter. Mehmet Okur scored 15 points while Williams and Kris Humphries added 14 apiece.