Clippers 96, Celtics 88: Chris Paul scored 22 points and handed out nine assists to help visiting Los Angeles give head coach Doc Rivers a win in his return to Boston.

Jamal Crawford scored 21 points off the bench and Blake Griffin contributed 18 points for the Clippers, who improved to 3-2 on their seven-game road trip. Darren Collison scored eight of his 10 points in the fourth quarter for Los Angeles.

Jeff Green led the Celtics with 29 points and Jordan Crawford had 20. Brandon Bass recorded his second straight double-double with 17 points and 12 boards for Boston, which has dropped two straight following a three-game winning streak.

The Celtics lost a six-point halftime lead before back-to-back corner 3-pointers from Avery Bradley and Green put the hosts on top 57-55 midway through the third quarter. Jamal Crawford had seven points in a 14-5 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters, including a three-point play with 11 minutes left to put Los Angeles up 71-66.

Boston got back within two points on multiple occasions down the stretch, the last time when Jared Sullinger made a layup with 2:56 left. Jamal Crawford answered with consecutive 3-pointers to open up an eight-point bulge and the Celtics never got closer than five points thereafter.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Rivers was 416-305 in nine seasons with Boston, winning the 2008 NBA title and reaching the NBA Finals again in 2010. ... Clippers SF Stephen Jackson was scoreless in 12 minutes in his debut with the team after signing a contract earlier in the week. ... Celtics F Kris Humphries was a late scratch with a bruised right knee.