Paul George showcased his scoring prowess with 27 points, complemented by James Harden’s impressive 19 points and 14 assists, propelling the Los Angeles Clippers to a decisive 116-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
This win not only solidified the Clippers’ dominance but also secured them a one-game lead over the New Orleans Pelicans for the coveted fourth seed in the fiercely competitive Western Conference playoff race.
Portland’s Scoot Henderson put up a commendable performance with 18 points and five assists, while fellow rookie Kris Murray delivered a season-high 17 points.
The stage is set for a rematch between these two teams on Friday night in Portland, promising another intense showdown to complete this two-game series.
The Clippers seized control of the game with a commanding 34-point third quarter, fueled by Kawhi Leonard’s 24 points, 17 of which came in that pivotal period.
Despite holding a 60-50 lead at halftime, the Clippers shifted into a higher gear, repeatedly extending their lead to stifle any hopes of a Blazers comeback. Los Angeles pushed their lead to 72-58, prompting a Blazers timeout, which unfortunately did little to stem the tide as Portland committed turnovers on consecutive possessions, allowing Leonard to further widen the gap to 77-58.
Paul George highlighted the Clippers’ defensive prowess, emphasizing their ability to convert defensive stops into quick offensive opportunities. He stated, “We played good defense, we got stops, we got out and got some easy opportunities.”
Portland’s struggles in the third quarter were compounded by seven turnovers, leading to 13 points for the Clippers. Kris Murray acknowledged the impact of these turnovers, stating, “It was a lot of turnovers that led to points. That was the biggest thing.”
Amir Coffey’s clutch 3-pointer pushed the Clippers’ lead to 84-60, forcing yet another timeout by Portland, but the Clippers continued to dominate, outscoring the Trail Blazers 34-20 in the third quarter alone.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue praised his players’ professionalism and determination, saying, “Even though they called a timeout to stop the run, let’s be professional. I give our guys credit — tonight, they did that.”
The Clippers’ lead swelled to as much as 27 points, and they ultimately outplayed the Trail Blazers, maintaining their dominance throughout the game. Los Angeles had earlier surged to a 47-35 lead midway through the second quarter, with James Harden’s consecutive 3-pointers prompting a Blazers timeout with 6:04 left in the half.
