LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 38 points as the Los Angeles Clippers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 106-95 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Paul George added 22 points for the Clippers, who won their last three games after losing five in a row.
“It feels good to be on a winning streak and playing well,” said coach Tyronn Lue. earlier matches and not winning.”
It was Leonard’s seventh game in a row with at least 21 points, and he has averaged 31 points during that stretch. He has also played four 30-point games in that span.
“I got some open looks in the third quarter,” said Leonard, who scored 19 in the third quarter, including three 3-pointers. And from there I shot the ball with confidence.”
Besides Leonard’s good play, the other difference over the past two games has been that the Clippers played better defense. New York shot 32 of 90 from the field, marking the first time this season the Clippers held teams below 40% in two straight games.
“I think when Kawhi and PG lock in the best players from the other teams and take on that challenge, when they play at a high level defensively,” said Lue, “you know we’re a different team.”
Immanuel Quickley had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who have dropped three in a row on a nine-game winning streak. Quickley started in place of Jalen Brunson, who was sidelined with a sore left foot.
Julius Randle scored 19 despite shooting 5 of 24.
“I thought we played really well in the first half and played well for the most part in the third quarter. I didn’t like the way we started the fourth, and right now our margin of error is small,” said Knicks- coach Tom Thibodeau. said. “We need to understand that the intensity of the fourth quarter is different. So be prepared to deal with that.
New York held a 74–73 lead late in the third quarter before the Clippers scored nine consecutive points to take control.
The run began when Randle received a technical foul with 0.3 seconds left after elbowing Clippers center Mason Plumlee in the face as both were on their way to a rebound.
Leonard tied it up by making the technical shot and Plumlee converted the next two free throws to give the Clippers a 76–74 lead going into the final 12 minutes.
Los Angeles extended their lead to 14 with less than four minutes left in the fourth.
TRAINERS ROOM
Thibodeau said Brunson is day to day and X-rays came back negative.
Brunson has missed three of the past four games after being injured in a March 3 victory over Miami.
“We definitely miss him on the floor, but we have to figure it out and figure out how to get these wins,” guard RJ Barrett said. win easier and stay that way.
RECORD BOOK
Russell Westbrook passed Isiah Thomas for ninth on the NBA’s career assists list. Westbrook has 9,062 during his 15-year career.
“It’s great as a point guard like me, the various conversations I’ve had to overcome throughout my career to be on this side of the game. It’s something special,” said Westbrook.
TIP INS
Knicks: Mitchell Robinson had 14 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end. …Left most of the first half, but had a 49-47 lead at halftime after Randle made three free throws with 2.6 seconds remaining on an error by Marcus Morris Sr.
Clippers: Morris had 11 points, including three 3-pointers. … George, who also had eight rebounds and eight assists, passed more than 2,000 career three-pointers in the second quarter.
NEXT ONE
Knicks: Stay in Los Angeles to play against the Lakers on Sunday.
Clippers: Host Golden State on Wednesday.
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