Clippers handle Heat in overtime

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Chris Paul and the Los  Angeles Clippers survived their biggest test of the season with  a 95-89 overtime victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday,  proving the home team can stand toe-to-toe with the best of the  NBA.

Paul recorded 27 points and 11 assists to upstage LeBron  James and Dwyane Wade as the new-look Clippers prevailed in an  engrossing battle to hand the Heat a second overtime loss in as  many days.

“It’s a good team we just beat. That’s a good win for our  team,” said Paul, whose arrival in the off-season has helped  turn the team into contenders. “Hopefully this gives us a little  momentum. We have a tough stretch coming up.”

Miami were held to just one field goal in the extra session,  a Mario Chalmers three-pointer that pulled them to 90-89, but  Los Angeles scored the final five points to seal victory.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was ejected in the final seconds  for arguing a non-call as the frustration continued for Miami  (8-3), who also lost to Golden State in OT on Tuesday.

James finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists  and Wade added 17 points but both teams struggled to find their  shooting touch.

James made just 7-of-19 shots, along with 9-of-17 free  throws, and Miami failed to make a field goal in the final seven  minutes of the fourth quarter, staying in touch by getting to  the foul line where the team shot 58 percent.

“I put a lot of the free throws on me,” James said. “It’s  kind of a rhythm. I need to concentrate a little more at the  free throw line and knock them down and we’ll be fine.”

After the Clippers nudged ahead 86-84 on three free throws  from Chauncey Billups in the final half-minute of regulation,  James split four free throw attempts to tie the game and send it  into overtime after Paul missed a shot at the buzzer.

Blake Griffin and Caron Butler had 20 points for Los Angeles  (5-3), who remain second behind their city rivals, the Lakers,  in the Pacific division.