Here is the latest North Carolina sports news from The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Blake Griffin scored 24 points, keying a decisive second-quarter burst that put the Clippers in command, and Los Angeles beat the Charlotte Bobcats 106-84 Tuesday night to improve to 23-6 at home. Matt Barnes added 17 points off the bench and Caron Butler had 16 points.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Capitals shut down former teammate Alexander Semin, scored a goal with a one-of-a-kind combo and put together a second consecutive impressive performance, beating the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 Tuesday night. Nicklas Backstrom scored in the first period and supplied the pass for John Erskine's goal in the second.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Michael Snaer scored 19 of his game-high 24 points in the second half Tuesday night leading Florida State to a 76-62 win over Wake Forest. Snaer scored 13 points during a 23-3 run midway through the second half that put the game out of reach for the visitors.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A.J. Allmendinger will make his NASCAR season debut this Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. Allmendinger, who didn't have a ride for the season-opening Daytona 500, will drive for Phoenix Racing in the No. 51 Guy Roofing Chevrolet. It will be Allmendinger's fifth race with Phoenix Racing, which gave him a chance last year after NASCAR reinstated him following his suspension for failing a random drug test.