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LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Clippers had every reason to quit down 17 points with 4 1/2 minutes to go. They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. But in their huddle, Doc Rivers and the other coaches told the players to keep believing. They did, and pulled out a wild 129-127 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. J.J. Redick scored a career-high 33 points, Matt Barnes added 25, Blake Griffin had 23 and Jamal Crawford scored 16, including a pair of free throws that gave the Clippers the lead with 11 seconds to go. They improved to 18-3 at home with their fourth straight win. "We locked in," Griffin said. "We made the plays down the stretch, they tightened up and got a little too comfortable." Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points and Samuel Dalembert added a season-high 20 for the Mavs, whose three-game winning streak ended when they couldnt hold a 123-106 lead. Jose Calderon hit four 3-pointers on his way to 16 points. "Theres no way we should lose this game," Nowitzki said. "Weve got to do a better job of protecting a lead. We made some bad decisions and gave up some 3s." Redicks seventh 3-pointer with 34 seconds to go had the Clippers trailing 127-126. Nowitzkis step-back jumper hit the rim. "We had J.J. guarding Dirk on one play and it worked," Rivers said. "I cant explain that game." After Crawfords two free throws put the Clippers ahead 128-127, Calderon missed a 3-pointer with 3 seconds to go, and DeAndre Jordan got fouled. After his first free throw hit the right side of the backboard, he made the second for a 129-127 lead. DeJuan Blair inbounded the ball but his pass was intercepted by Jordan to end the heated and stunning finish. "It was like a playoff game the last three or four minutes. Everybody was mouthing back and forth and getting techs, and it became a brawl out there," Shawn Marion said. "But if you let that take away from what your main focus is -- executing at both ends of the floor -- then its going to take you out of your game." Griffin uttered expletives at Dalembert after they scrapped for a rebound near the baseline late in the game. One of the referees put both his arms around Griffins waist and backed him away. Nowitzki was waiting with an earful as Griffin ended up near him. "I was more upset about some of the things that were said than the situation," Griffin said. Dalembert was called for a technical. Griffin made the free throw and the Clippers retained possession. Crawford drove the basket and scored to pull them to 125-118. "It was a difficult and a physical game," Dalembert said. "Some calls were suspicious, and it was just one of those games. So many things happened in those seven minutes. We have to keep some of their guys under control." Redick said Dalembert stepped on his head and he ended up with a cut in his ear. "Any time a 270-pound man steps on your head it takes a little while to get it back," he said. Down 127-118, Barnes hit a 3-pointer and Nowitzki fouled Crawford on a 3-point attempt. Crawford made two of three free throws, pulling the Clippers to 127-123 with 1:10 to play. Crawford struggled for most of the game, and in the final 6 minutes the coaches were debating whether to take him out. "He was off-balance, he was going too fast and turning the ball over, yet you keep him in because he has ability to score," Rivers said. "He can miss 20 in a row. He just needs to make one and he thinks hes hot." Crawford credited Rivers patience with him this season for making a difference. "Hopefully I make him look good in the end for still believing in me," he said. Earlier in the fourth, Vince Carter was hit with a technical, one of four in the game for the Mavs. Griffin picked up one in the third. The Mavs outscored the Clippers 60-40 in the paint, and outrebounded them 47-38, with both teams shooting at least 50 per cent. "Thats awful on our part," Rivers said. Dallas opened the fourth with consecutive 3-pointers by Monta Ellis and Calderon. They keyed a 25-6 run that gave the Mavs a 123-106 lead. The Mavs borrowed a page from the Clippers high-flying playbook, with Brandan Wright dunking off Carters alley-oop pass against the Clippers hapless defence. Notes: Rivers said the team anticipates signing free agent F Hedo Turkoglu. Rivers expects Turkoglu to join the team for the start of its seven-day, 11-city trip that begins Friday in New York. Turkoglu was cut by Orlando earlier this month. He played just 11 games last season because of injuries and a 20-game suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs. ... Clippers F Reggie Bullock returned after hurting his left ankle on Dec. 7 at Cleveland. ... Mavs G Devin Harris, who had left foot surgery, isnt expected to play this trip. ... The Clippers Grammy trip comes a month earlier than usual since the music awards held at Staples Center were moved up to avoid conflicting with the Olympics. Cheap Salomon Shoes Online .com) - Eric Fehr and Marcus Johansson each registered a pair of goals, as Washington spoiled the head coaching debut of Peter Horachek by picking up a 6-2 victory in Toronto on Wednesday. Cheap Salomon Shoes From China . Al Harrington, another former Knicks forward, scored 22 of his 24 points after halftime for the Nuggets, allowing them to withstand Anthonys attempt to rally the Knicks after his poor shooting had them behind until the final minutes of regulation. Anthony finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, missing 20 of 30 shots in the Knicks sixth straight loss. http://www.cheapsalomon.net/.The Canadian teenage golf sensation announced Thursday shell join the LPGA Tour in 2015 instead of attending the University of Florida. Salomon Outlet Online .A. Happ? Happs seven wins are second on the staff to Mark Buehrles 10. Win-loss record is an antiquated stat, sure, but win total is generally an indication of a pitchers ability to work deep into games, enough to be personally affected by the result. Cheap Salomon . -- Among the 31 players at the Montreal Canadiens rookie camp, none feels closer to cracking the NHL roster than right winger Aaron Palushaj.They are thinking playoffs in Kansas City, which makes some sense even after the Chiefs got off to a poor start this season.After all, KC qualified for the post-season last year.Theyre also thinking playoffs in Buffalo. Wait, Buffalo?Yep, at 5-3, like the Chiefs, the Bills are in the middle of the race, seeking to end a 14-season playoff drought.I mean, 5-3 is only the beginning, Bills defensive back Corey Graham says. Weve still got a long way to go. Its not really how you start, its how you finish the season.The Bills usually finish as an also-ran, which means their success so far in 2014 isnt likely to go to their heads.I can understand the question, coach Doug Marrone says. I dont think thats the case at all when you havent been to the playoffs in such a long time. I think the one message I tried to tell them ... it doesnt get easier, it gets harder.Starting with Sunday. Kansas City is rolling, winning five of six — the only loss was a tight one at San Francisco — and has a defence to be feared. Justin Houston leads the NFL in sacks with 12 and the Chiefs have yielded only 66 points in their five victories.One oddity: Kansas City has not had a wide receiver catch a touchdown pass from Alex Smith.We want to get everybody involved in scoring touchdowns, but to be honest, when youre out there playing, thats not something Im thinking about, Smith said. When a play gets called, theres reads and things that go into it, youre going out there trying to throw the ball where it goes. Were not trying to press and force it to this guy or that guy.The action began Thursday night with Cleveland manhandling Cincinnati 24-3. The visiting Browns (6-3) moved into a tie for the AFC North lead with Pittsburgh and improved their best start since 1994 — during the previous edition of the franchise.The Browns won a division game on the road for the first time since 2008, ending a streak of 17 consecutive losses. Cincinnati dropped to 5-3-1.Monday nights game is Carolina at Philadelphia.Off this week are Houston (4-5), Minnesota (4-5), New England (7-2), Indianapolis (6-3), San Diego (5-4) and Washington (3-6).Miami (5-3) at Detroit (6-2)Two of the more surprisingly successful teams so far — hey, the Lions lead the NFC North. Detroit has the top-ranked defence and Miami is third.Its a pretty even match in terms of the type of teams facing each other, Dolphins defensive co-ordinator Kevin Coyle said. Were both strong on defence, both have explosive-play ability on offence. I think its going to be a heck of a matchup.Dolphins DE Cameron Wake has 4 1/2 sacks in the past four games. The Lions have seven players with at least two sacks.San Francisco (4-4) at New Orleans (4-4)Two of the more disappointing teams so far, although the Saints are coming on with three straight victories. Even better for them, they play their next three at home, where they have won their past 20 with Sean Payton coaching; he was suspended for the 2012 season.San Francisco has dropped its past two games and needs to rediscover its offence. Maybe the Niners will turn to Frank Gore, who has rushed for more than 80 yards in four of his past five games against New Orleans, including the playoffs.Chicago (3-5) at Green Bay (5-3)Both teams come back from a bye, and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers must be chomping at the bit. Rodgers is 11-3 against Green Bays oldest rival; this is their 190th meeting. The Bears have lost 10 of their past 12 against the Packers, including playoffs.Plus, when the Pack is back off a bye under Mike McCarthy, it is 7-1.The Bears have lost four of five and were routed at home by Green Bay in Week 4.Denver (6-2) at Oakland (0-8)Peyton Manning and his teammates are smarting from a shellacking last Sunday at the Patriots. No better way to get healthy than against the NFLs only winless team.But Manning isnt getting sloppy or complacent — not that he ever would.I dont look at the record, I look at the film, Manning said. I look at how were playing. Your job each week is to study the opponent and also be sure youre studying yourselves and seeing what you need to be doing to improve.Oakland hhas lost 14 straight, its longest skid since dropping 19 in a row in 1961-62.dddddddddddd.St. Louis (3-5) at Arizona (7-1)The Cardinals have the NFLs best record, and plenty of momentum after wins over Philadelphia and Dallas. They have not gone 8-1 since their 11-1 season in 1948, when they called Chicago home.Run defence has been a big part of Arizonas success: It has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 18 consecutive games.St. Louis has done well in the NFLs toughest division, going 2-1, and comes off a nail-biting upset of San Francisco. The Rams had six sacks all season before getting eight against the 49ers.New York Giants (3-5) at Seattle (5-3)Seattle hasnt looked much like a Super Bowl champion recently, but it has won two in a row. And the Seahawks expect to get several key players back from injury: centre Max Unger, left tackle Russell Okung, safety Kam Chancellor and defensive tackle Jordan Hill.The Seahawks also got Marshawn Lynch back into the offensive flow last week against Oakland. He figures to see plenty of action this week.New York has dropped three straight, its run game stagnant and its pass defence vulnerable. The Giants saw two starters hurt last Monday night in a loss to Indianapolis: rookie guard Weston Richburg (ankle) and cornerback Prince Amukamara (biceps).Pittsburgh (6-3) at New York Jets (1-8)The other Meadowlands tenant is in even worse shape. The Jets have never lost nine in a row, but falling to Pittsburgh will achieve that dubious distinction. And the Steelers are 19-4 against the Jets.Pittsburgh has won three straight games, with Ben Roethlisberger setting an NFL mark with six TD passes in consecutive outings.Ive had a lot of matchups against Big Ben through my days, Jets coach Rex Ryan says. I lost two (AFC) championship games to him. I had some good games against him and all that. Ive never seen him this hot.Hes just on fire right now.And the Jets are cold as ice.Carolina (3-5-1) at Philadelphia (6-2), Monday nightMark Sanchez steps in as the starter with Nick Foles (collarbone) sidelined, and Sanchez looked pretty good in a win over Houston. Hell have the resurgent Jeremy Maclin to throw to; Maclin has 18 receptions for 345 yards and four TDs in his past two games.Philly also gets 2013 All-Pro guard Evan Mathis back from injury.The Panthers are spiraling, losing three straight with little offence to rely on.Dallas (6-3) vs. Jacksonville (1-8) at LondonThis years third and final match at Wembley Stadium, the second of the Jaguars four-game commitment to play a home game in London each year.Theres plenty of intrigue on the Dallas side. The Cowboys have lost their past two games and QB Tony Romos tender back makes him a question mark after he sat out last weekend. Would the team have taken him across the pond just to watch?If youre always waiting to feel great to play in every game you play in, youre only going to play a couple of games a year, he says. The best players are the guys who are able to play at the same level with stuff going on.Jacksonville, despite its record, can be troublesome, improving since an awful September.Tennessee (2-6) at Baltimore (5-4)Coming off a bye, Tennessee has lost five of its past six and is starting a rookie quarterback, Zach Mettenberger. The Titans rank 27th in offence and must find some production to challenge the Ravens, who are solid at home.Despite their record, the Ravens are in last place in the AFC North. Yet Baltimores plus-66 point differential (240-174) ranks third in the NFL behind New England and Indianapolis.Atlanta (2-6) at Tampa Bay (1-7)Last time they faced off, the Falcons won 56-14. Atlanta has not won since, dropping five straight. The most painful might have been their mismanaged defeat in London against Detroit before last weeks bye.Tampa is going back to veteran Josh McCown at quarterback. Bucs rookie WR Mike Evans comes off a seven-catch, 124-yard, two-TD performance against Cleveland. At 21 years, 73 days, hes youngest player in NFL history to have 100 yards receiving and two TDs in a game.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '