CLIPPERS 112, WARRIORS 104: Chris Paul collected 28 points and 13 assists and threw down his first dunk of the season as host Los Angeles jumped out early and managed to hold on for its third straight win.

Blake Griffin added 20 points and nine rebounds and DeAndre Jordan scored 18 for the Clippers, who pulled within a game of the Los Angeles Lakers for first place in the Pacific Division.

Paul, who is usually on the passing end of the alley-oop, stole the ball early and broke toward the basket, throwing it down just barely over the rim to the delight of his teammates on the bench.

Los Angeles started off on fire, hitting 11 of its first 12 shots to take a 24-5 lead

The Warriors did not fold as they turned to their bench and started bombing away from long range. By the time halftime rolled around, Golden State had cut it to 59-58 on the strength of 11 for 18 shooting from beyond the arc.

The Warriors tied it once in the third quarter but never managed to take the lead. Paul scored seven straight points at the start of the fourth quarter and put it away with a 3-pointer in the final seconds.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Nate Robinson, Brandon Rush, Dorell Wright and Klay Thompson each scored over 20 points for Golden State and combined to hit 15 of 31 shots from 3-point range. … The Clippers were just 14 for 30 (46.7 percent) from the free throw line. … The Warriors were missing F David Lee (groin), who has been shut down.