anxious to take a pop and give one," he said. "If youre a

LOS ANGELES -- After their 17th consecutive victory gave them a perfect month, the Los Angeles Clippers finally paused to admire their achievement. Isco Real Madrid Jersey . "We got something extremely magical going on," said Caron Butler after the Clippers beat the Utah Jazz 107-96 on Sunday night to become the third team in NBA history to record a perfect month. "When we win we usually jump up and down once or twice," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Tonight we let them jump and down three or four times, so everyone had their fill." The Clippers went 16-0 in December to join the 1995-96 San Antonio Spurs, which included Del Negro, and 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers as the only teams to go undefeated in a month. Their franchise-record winning streak is the longest since Boston won 19 in a row four years ago. "I am amazed because I havent done it since Ive been in the league," said seven-year veteran Chris Paul, whose 19 points and nine assists helped his team maintain the leagues best record at 25-6. Butler led the Clippers with 29 points despite not playing in the fourth quarter and made all six of his 3-pointers, including five in the opening period. Jamal Crawford scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. Blake Griffin piled up five fouls and was held to seven points after getting double-teamed. "That shows our depth," Paul said. "Our bench stepped up amazing. On any given night it can be another guy." The streak isnt talked about among the players and coaches. But its a popular topic among everyone else. "Thats an incredible record to have," Utahs Derrick Favours said. "Theyve got 17 straight wins and theyre playing hard. I know theres a lot of pressure on them to try to keep it up, and theyre going to keep coming out and keep playing the same way." Actually, its just the opposite, according to Griffin, who said the last month "is the most fun Ive ever had playing basketball." "You dont really think about it that much. Were having a blast," he said about the streak. "Its not like its one of these things where its so much pressure." Al Jefferson scored 30 points -- one off his season high -- to lead Utah, which fell victim for the third time during the Clippers streak. The Jazz lost 116-114 on Friday when the Clippers rallied from 19 points down, and they were beaten 105-104 on Dec. 3, both times at home. "Its frustrating," said Gordon Hayward, who had 16 points. "Knowing that theyre a good team and knowing that were always right there with them, knowing that we need to keep on playing good for 48 minutes." The Jazz lost their third in a row and seventh in the last nine games. "We cant make any mistakes against them, especially on their home floor because they make you pay for it," Jefferson said. Crawford keyed a 10-5 run to open the fourth, highlighted by a 3-pointer and a fast break pull-up jumper that helped the Clippers extend their lead to 89-81. Paul and Griffin didnt join the second unit until 5:55 remained and Utah had closed within four on a basket by Favours. That was as close as the Jazz got. The Clippers made 9 of 10 free throws down the stretch and their defence held Utah to one field goal in the final 3:38. "It was a grind-it-out game, nothing pretty about it," Crawford said. "We got us a nice thing going and we got to keep it going." Los Angeles stretched its lead to 71-59 in the third quarter, when Butler scored 10 of their first 17 points. From there, the Jazz closed on a 17-8 run to pull to 79-76 going into the fourth. Utah briefly took its first lead since early in the game when Jefferson scored over Lamar Odom, but the Jazz committed two costly turnovers in the final 49 seconds. Paul got fouled and made both free throws, and then Matt Barnes stole the ball from Jamaal Tinsley and fed Paul on the break. He missed but Crawford was there to tip it in and restore the Clippers lead. "We havent been playing our best basketball the last few games," Utah coach Tyrone Corbin said. "Were playing hard, but weve got to be a little smarter and not make the kind of mistakes we made down the stretch." The Clippers shot 62 per cent en route to a 54-45 halftime lead, with Butler scoring 17 points in the first quarter. Utah led briefly to start the game when Jefferson scored eight of their first 13 points. NOTES: Los Angeles improved to 11-3 at home. ... The Jazz fell to 6-13 on the road. ... Clippers F Ronny Turiaf says his right elbow is "messed up." He said he hurt it a couple games ago when he felt discomfort while boxing out. ... Odoms ankle is bothering him. ... The Clippers havent lost since Nov. 26 at home against New Orleans. Jese Futbol Shirt . Louis Post-Dispatch reports that a group led by minority owner Tom Stillman is expected to close on its purchase of the St. Asier Illarramendi Futbol Shirt . - Eric Bledsoe made a name for himself during the Los Angeles Clippers playoff run last season.BEREA, Ohio -- As days turned to weeks, Trent Richardsons frustration grew -- almost to anger. Unable to play in the preseason or even practice with the Browns following knee surgery, Clevelands prized rookie running back was forced to work out on his own. Richardsons dream of playing in the NFL was put on hold, and there wasnt anything he could do but look at it as another obstacle to overcome. "Its been a fight," he said. Hes ready for his next one. Richardson practiced Wednesday for the second time since undergoing his second knee operation this year on Aug. 9, and it appears the third overall pick in Aprils draft will make his delayed debut Sunday when the Browns open the regular season at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. After missing all four preseason games, Richardson is eager to make an impact on his new team, city and league. "I cant stand watching preseason games without being out there," he said after practice. "Its been a long time since Ive touched a football. Ive got to make sure Im part of this team. Ive got to get on that field and contribute to this team. Just watching, I was very antsy. I had to take that time and realize this might be the best thing for my career -- to get my leg right." Richardson had some loose cartilage removed from his left knee last month by famed sports orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, who also performed an arthroscopic procedure in early February on Richardsons knee, shortly after he helped Alabama beat LSU in the BCS national title game. Richardson had not experienced any problems during the first 10 days of training camp, but suddenly showed up riding a stationary bike at an Aug. 7 practice. The Browns initially downplayed Richardsons injury, but the sight of the former Alabama star on the sideline was unnerving to Cleveland fans who have grown accustomed expecting the worst. There had been no trauma to his knee, but Richardson knew something was wrong. "I was just kind of feeling like a nick," said Richardson, speaking for the first time since the operation. "I was still running full speed. I couldve played the first preseason game, but coach (Pat Shurmur) was like were gonna check it out, then found out there was something wrong." An MRI revealed some minor damage, and the 22-year-old Richardson underwent his fourth known surgery. He had procedures done on both ankles in high school. Richardson said the latest scope to his knee was not related to the first one, and insisted hes not concerned about lingering issues. "Theres nothing to worry me at all," Richardson said. "Im very confident in my knee. I try to be 110 per cent in whatever I do. Coach is going to put me in the right situation. Our trainers and medical staff, theyre doing everything they can to have me at 120 per cent, not 110 per cent. I can tell a big difference now. Its not going to give me any problems down the line. "Ive got fresh legs. Luka Modric Futbol Shirt. Im ready to go." The Browns are ready for him. Cleveland ranked 28th in rushing last season and scored a league-low four touchdowns on the ground. The 5-foot-8, 230-pound Richardson, with the physique of a bodybuilder and speed of a track star, will bolster a Browns offence that scored just 218 points last season. "Obviously hes a huge addition," rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden said. "Being able to turn and hand him the ball is one of the best plays we have in our playbook. You have to respect him. Guys in the box have to account for him. Hes obviously an extremely gifted runner. Im excited to see him pass block, Im excited to see him catch balls out of the backfield, do all those different things. "Hes a guy Im excited to have back in this lineup, and I know hes champing at the bit to start playing again." Richardson wasnt on the field when the Eagles thrashed the Browns 27-10 in an Aug. 24 preseason game. However, Philadelphia coach Andy Reid knows enough about him to be expecting a handful. "Hes a heck of a football player, so thats what were expecting," Richardson said. "You talk about a guy that was a great college player. Hes built for the NFL game, so we know with him youve got size and speed, toughness, quickness, and you better wrap him up and make sure that you tackle well with him." Richardson hasnt had any real contact since early camp. Hell get his first taste of what to expect against the Eagles on Thursday, when the Browns will be in full pads to work on short-yardage situations. "Im very anxious to take a pop and give one," he said. "If youre a running back you dont want to get hit too many times. You want to give that first hit. I cant wait." On Sunday, the long wait for his debut will be over. Its a day hes visualized countless times, and if Richardson could script his dream day, there would be one perfect ending. "The Browns win," he said. "We come out victorious. Everybodys injury free, and we come out victorious." ------ NOTES: Facing a possible four-game drug suspension, Browns CB Joe Haden practiced again. It seems hell be eligible to play Sunday, but there are no guarantees. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email that the league tries to take "competitive issues into account" but that each case is unique. Haden is awaiting a decision on his suspension for reportedly taking Adderall. The league will not announce the suspension if Haden wins the appeal. ... Starting rookie LB James-Michael Johnson (oblique) did not practice. Johnson was going to start for Scott Fujita, serving his three-game suspension for the Saints scandal. If Johnson is out, rookie L.J. Fort will likely start on the strong side. ... TE Alex Smith was chosen as honorary captain for the opener by captains Joe Thomas, DQwell Jackson and Phil Dawson. cheap jerseys ' ' '