Los Angeles, Feb. 15 (BNA): The Los Angeles Clippers have 22 games left to combine acquisitions in the trade deadlines. They wasted no time.
Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points, tying a career-high seven three-pointers, and the Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 134-124 Tuesday night to throw two games, the Associated Press reports.
“The Clippers outdid us,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “They were great in the second half and deserved it.”
Norman Powell added 24 points and Paul George 20 points and eight assists for Clippers debutants Eric Gordon, Bones Hyland and Mason Plumley. They helped edge out the Warriors bench, 49-42.
“It’s going to be different for us,” Clippers coach Tyrone Law said. “We have to get this together as quickly as we can.”
Gordon finished with seven points, Hyland scored six, and Plumlee scored eight in the team’s final game before the All-Star break.
“They did a good job of being themselves and being aggressive,” said Leonard.
Leonard was 12-of-17 from the floor, 7-of-9 from 3-point range and made both of his free throws in 34 minutes.
“I kept shooting confidently,” he said.
Jordan Paul led the Seven Warriors by double figures with 28 points. Klay Thompson scored 18 points in Game 2 of a back-to-back game for the first time this season. Kevon Looney scored 11 points and 14 rebounds.
The Warriors fell to 29-29 at halftime. They are hoping Stephen Curry will return shortly after the season resumes, while newly acquired second Gary Payton could be up a month away.
“We have reinforcements coming and we have a lot to look forward to,” Kiir said. “We’ve lost a lot of games we should have won. We know we’re there.”
Gordon’s three-pointer extended the Clippers’ lead to 18 points early in the fourth. The Warriors cut it to 116-106 on Jonathan Cuminga’s three-pointer. He finished with 16 points off the bench.
Leonard hit a 3-pointer in the closing minutes before leaving the game with the Clippers leading 128-114.
The teams traded leads and were tied five times early in the third set. The Clippers outperformed the Warriors 19-7 in the final minutes to take a 105-93 lead in the fourth minute. Leonard and George only had 2 points each while the support team held them. Plumley scored six points and Helland two during the round, which was scored by seven different players.
“With this offense, I feel like I can create in the lane and find teammates,” Hyland said. “I forgot Mason can push the ball, too.”
The Warriors had four players in double figures in the first half as they took a 65-61 lead.
Tip-ins
Warriors: Thompson missed 11 games, all second consecutive games, due to managing a right Achilles tendon injury. … Andrew Wiggins is out for personal reasons and will return to the team after the All-Star break. Donte DiVincenzo started in his place and scored 10 points. … Kerr got a technical late in the third for returning a call. …Andre Iguodala (right groin soreness) missed his 16th consecutive game.
Clippers: Hyland will run the point for the second unit. “Just watch him, the bob he has, run and roll, come downhill, attack and make the right passes, play right,” Law said.
Green’s criticism
Draymond Green has been critical of the Warriors’ defense, something that has worried Kerr all season.
“Defense is all about the will and the desire to defend. Defending isn’t fun. You just have to do it if you want to win and we didn’t,” said Green. “I will always try in this aspect, but I can be better. I will not point fingers at anyone or blame. If you are a leader at something and you fail, it is your own fault.”
the next
Warriors: at the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
Clippers: At the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
Rial