PISTONS 109, CLIPPERS 104:

Blake Griffin scored 44 points in his return to Staples Center for the first time against his old team and the Detroit Pistons beat the Los Angeles Clippers to snap a four-game skid. Griffin was greeted with cheers during pregame introductions and received a standing ovation after a first-quarter video tribute from the team that drafted him first overall in 2009. He stuck his right arm in the air and then brought his raised hands together in a thankful gesture without smiling. He clearly wanted to beat the team that stunningly traded him last January after he had signed a $171 million, five-year extension. It showed from the start. Griffin scored 15 points in the opening quarter when he got razzed by superfan Clipper Darrell during free throw attempts. He had 26 points in the first half to help Detroit to a 65-54 lead. “Hey Blake, we miss you but enough for tonight, OK?” a Clippers fan implored. Griffin wasn’t done. His 3-pointer to start the third and a basket by Andre Drummond pushed Detroit to a 16-point lead. Griffin had a one-hand slam reminiscent of his old Lob City days. Griffin briefly left the court near the end of the third. He wore a wrap around his waist before entering for the fourth. The Clippers tied it at 97 on a 3-pointer by Lou Williams after outscoring the Pistons 17-7 to open the fourth. Reggie Bullock had two 3-pointers around Drummond’s dunk and Griffin’s hook for a 107-99 lead. The Clippers got within three and Griffin missed two 3-pointers in the closing seconds. He stepped out of bounds in the corner of the baseline while trying to save a pass and fell backward, crashing into fans and the floor. Bruce Brown stole the ball with 20 seconds left, got fouled by Danilo Gallinari and made both to keep Detroit ahead 109-104. Gallinari’s jumper missed in the waning seconds.