PORTLAND. In a match-up between probable playoffs-bound teams, the host Los Angeles Clippers out-gunned the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, 107-101, on Thursday night (Friday AM in the RP) at the Staples Center.
Kawhi Leonard, fresh from another game off due to load management, had a re-energized effort of 27 points and 13 rebounds to lift the Clips from the six-point deficit entering the final 12 minutes of action. Ivica Zubic, who moved next door from the L.A. Lakers during the off-season, added 15 points and 13 rebounds.
But it was Lou Williams who delivered the dagger. Williams, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year, exploded for 26 off the bench, including a huge triple that pushed the Los Angeles to a 104-99 lead with 32.5 seconds to play.
Los Angeles improved to 6-3 for the season and this latest triumph came despite a poor shooting night in which the Clippers made only 39 of 89 shots (43.8 percent) and 4-of-23 from 3-point distance. The Clips are currently fourth in the Western Conference while the Blazers dropped to 10th place with a 3-5 card.
Portland got 22 points apiece from their backcourt stars Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, but the team had an awful shooting performance -- 39 of 104 from the field (37.5 percent) and 11 of 39 (28.2 percent) from behind the 3-point arc.
Lillard usually carries the Blazers in tight contests such as this one, but the multiple All-Star, who recently inked a multi-year contract extension worth $196 million, couldn't deliver this time.
"Usually, I can make those shots down the stretch but they weren't falling," he told ESPN.
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Ryan Gallardo.