Clippers go after their seventh straight victory at United Center Thursday night
Following an uncharacteristic rough stretch last month, the Los Angeles Clippers continue to shine late in games during their recent turnaround.
That doesn't bode well for a Chicago Bulls team that is on the verge of its longest losing streak in two years because of its fourth quarter blues.
Blake Griffin looks to extend his dominance in this series Thursday night when the Clippers go after their seventh straight victory at the United Center.
Los Angeles (13-9) was looking for answers during a 2-7 stretch in which it shot 40.8 percent in the fourth quarter, hitting just 28.6 percent from 3-point range.
The Clippers have worked out those late-game woes, shooting 51.2 percent and 41.7 from long range over the final 12 minutes while winning seven of the past nine.
After scoring a season-high 39 while hitting all 15 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter of Monday's 110-106 win at Minnesota, Los Angeles shot 55.6 percent and outscored Milwaukee 34-27 in Wednesday's 109-95 victory.
J.J. Redick had a season-high 31 points and hit 6 of 9 from 3-point range in the team's third straight win. Chris Paul added 18 points and a season-high 18 assists and Griffin had 21 points and 14 rebounds.
"We're not going to say we've perfected anything," Paul said. "We know it's been a struggle for us early in the season, but we're finding a little rhythm."
Jamal Crawford had averaged 12.3 points and made 6 of 11 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter of his previous three games before scoring five on 2-of-4 shooting while playing all 12 minutes Wednesday.
Los Angeles might be able to continue its late success as it looks to win its first three on a five-game road swing. Chicago (11-8) has faded in its last three games, getting outscored 102-70 in the final 12 minutes.
The Bulls shot 36.4 percent in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 102-96 home loss to Charlotte before getting outscored 42-24 in Monday's 103-101 loss to visiting Phoenix. On Wednesday, they let the Celtics put up 30 in the final 12 minutes of a 105-100 loss.
Derrick Rose has missed 18 of 22 shots in the fourth quarter over his last five games for Chicago, which hasn't dropped four in a row since December 2013.
"This is our first time really going through it," Rose said. "The nucleus of this team, we've been together for a long time. We're just trying to figure things out."
Jimmy Butler was a bright spot Wednesday with a career-high 36 points, while Pau Gasol added 16 points and 15 rebounds. Butler has struggled in his last two home games versus Los Angeles, totaling 19 points on 6-of-24 shooting.
Gasol scored four points on 2-of-13 shooting in a 96-86 loss March 1 in the most recent meeting at the United Center. Rose hasn't faced the Clippers since December 2011, missing the past six meetings due to various injuries.
Chicago hasn't had much success at home, losing 12 of the past 14 meetings.
Paul led the way with 28 points and 12 assists in the March victory, while DeAndre Jordan pulled down 26 rebounds. Griffin did not play in that contest, but his 25.4 scoring average against Chicago is his highest versus any opponent.
