Game ID: 22300304
Portland Trail Blazers @ LA Clippers
Monday, December 11, 2023 at 10:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAC 43 23 39 27 132POR 32 33 34 28 127
LAC vs POR ScoutingLAC vs POR Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAC availability going into 11/30 · back-to-backOUT Plumlee missed 11 since 11/08, out tonight
BACK Hyland back 11/25 after 2, 2 min since (18% of 14)
LAC availability going into 12/02 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 2 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 12 since 11/08, out tonight
BACK Hyland back 11/25 after 2, 3 min since (21% of 14)
LAC availability going into 12/06 · 3 days' restOUT Tucker missed 3 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 13 since 11/08, out tonight
BACK Hyland back 11/25 after 2, 3 min since (21% of 14)
LAC availability going into 12/08 · 1 day's restOUT Coffey missed 2 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 4 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 14 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 2 since 12/02, out tonight
LAC availability going into 12/11 · 2 days' restOUT Coffey missed 3 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 5 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 15 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 3 since 12/02, out tonight
LAC availability going into 12/12 · back-to-backOUT Coffey missed 4 since 12/02, returns tonight: 9 min (43% of 21)
OUT Tucker missed 6 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 16 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 4 since 12/02, returns tonight: 9 min (64% of 14)
LAC availability going into 12/14 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 7 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 17 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 2 since 12/11, out tonight
BACK Coffey back 12/12 after 4, 9 min since (43% of 21)
BACK Hyland back 12/12 after 4, 9 min since (64% of 14)
LAC availability going into 12/16 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 8 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 18 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 3 since 12/11, returns tonight: 5 min (50% of 10)
BACK Coffey back 12/12 after 4, 19 min since (93% of 21)
BACK Hyland back 12/12 after 4, 9 min since (64% of 14)
LAC availability going into 12/18 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 9 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 19 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 2 since 12/14, out tonight
BACK Coffey back 12/12 after 4, 18 min since (89% of 21)
BACK Boston back 12/16 after 3, 5 min since (50% of 10)
POR availability going into 11/30 · 2 days' restOUT Simons missed 16 since 10/27, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 2 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Mays missed 2 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Rupert missed 2 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 4 since 11/21, out tonight
BACK Brogdon back 11/21 after 5, 30 min since (103% of 29)
BACK Henderson back 11/22 after 9, 22 min since (77% of 28)
POR availability going into 12/02 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 17 since 10/27, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 3 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Mays missed 3 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Rupert missed 3 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 5 since 11/21, out tonight
BACK Brogdon back 11/21 after 5, 30 min since (104% of 29)
BACK Henderson back 11/22 after 9, 22 min since (77% of 28)
POR availability going into 12/06 · 3 days' restOUT Simons missed 18 since 10/27, returns tonight: 37 min (109% of 34)
OUT Murray missed 4 since 11/26, returns tonight: 21 min (97% of 22)
OUT Mays missed 4 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Rupert missed 4 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 6 since 11/21, out tonight
BACK Henderson back 11/22 after 9, 22 min since (76% of 28)
NEW Thybulle 23 to 29 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 12/08 · 1 day's restOUT Mays missed 5 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Rupert missed 5 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 7 since 11/21, returns tonight: 8 min (71% of 11)
BACK Simons back 12/06 after 18, 37 min since (109% of 34)
BACK Murray back 12/06 after 4, 21 min since (97% of 22)
NEW Sharpe 33 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Thybulle 23 to 28 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 12/11 · 2 days' restOUT Grant missed 2 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Ayton missed 2 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Mays missed 6 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Rupert missed 6 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 2 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Simons back 12/06 after 18, 37 min since (106% of 34)
BACK Murray back 12/06 after 4, 20 min since (91% of 22)
BACK Minaya back 12/08 after 7, 8 min since (71% of 11)
NEW Sharpe 33 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Thybulle 23 to 30 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 12/14 · 2 days' restOUT Grant missed 3 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Ayton missed 3 since 12/06, returns tonight: 21 min (64% of 32)
OUT Brogdon missed 2 since 12/08, returns tonight: 14 min (49% of 29)
OUT Mays missed 7 since 11/26, returns tonight: 17 min (98% of 17)
OUT Rupert missed 7 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 3 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Simons back 12/06 after 18, 37 min since (108% of 34)
BACK Murray back 12/06 after 4, 20 min since (91% of 22)
BACK Minaya back 12/08 after 7, 8 min since (71% of 11)
NEW Sharpe 33 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Camara 25 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Thybulle 23 to 31 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 12/16 · 1 day's restOUT Grant missed 4 since 12/06, returns tonight: 38 min (114% of 34)
OUT Rupert missed 8 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 2 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 4 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Simons back 12/06 after 18, 33 min since (97% of 34)
BACK Ayton back 12/14 after 3, 21 min since (64% of 32)
BACK Brogdon back 12/14 after 2, 14 min since (49% of 29)
BACK Murray back 12/06 after 4, 19 min since (86% of 22)
BACK Mays back 12/14 after 7, 17 min since (98% of 17)
NEW Camara 25 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Thybulle 23 to 30 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 12/17 · back-to-backOUT Rupert missed 9 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 3 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 5 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Simons back 12/06 after 18, 34 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Grant back 12/16 after 4, 38 min since (114% of 34)
BACK Ayton back 12/14 after 3, 24 min since (74% of 32)
BACK Brogdon back 12/14 after 2, 19 min since (67% of 29)
BACK Murray back 12/06 after 4, 19 min since (86% of 22)
BACK Mays back 12/14 after 7, 17 min since (98% of 17)
POR availability going into 12/19 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 2 since 12/16, out tonight
OUT Mays missed 2 since 12/16, out tonight
OUT Rupert missed 10 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 4 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 6 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Grant back 12/16 after 4, 40 min since (117% of 34)
BACK Ayton back 12/14 after 3, 27 min since (83% of 32)
BACK Brogdon back 12/14 after 2, 22 min since (75% of 29)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Leonard at 27 and George at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Coffey (3 straight), Tucker (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 112, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sharpe at 23 and Grant at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Grant (2 straight), Ayton (2 straight), Mays (6 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 14 times a game to the Clippers' 9 and the arc, the Clippers at 41 percent from three to Portland's 36. Call it the Clippers 115, Portland 107.
11/30 @ GSW 114-120 — LAC notes
LAC lost 114-120. LAC took 13 more shots (95 to 82), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 44% to GSW's 50%, 12 of 32 from three, and got to the line 24 times to GSW's 31. Leonard led with 23 (9 of 17); Harden added 18, Zubac 18. Q4 was theirs, 37-34, the deficit cut from 9 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 86-77 against them. Theis's -20 in 15 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/02 vs GSW 113-112 — LAC notes
LAC won 113-112. LAC shot 49% (44 of 90) to GSW's 44%, 13 of 39 from three, and got to the line 14 times to GSW's 24. George led with 25 (8 of 17, 4 of 8 from three); Harden added 21, Leonard 20. The hinge was Q3, 37-25: the deficit went from 19 to 7. LAC trailed 48-67 at the half and won the second half 65-45. Powell was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
12/06 vs DEN 111-102 — LAC notes
LAC won 111-102. LAC shot 46% (40 of 87) to DEN's 42%, 12 of 27 from three, and went to the line 25 times to DEN's 9 — 19 points from the stripe to their 8. George led with 25 (8 of 20, 5 of 9 from three); Harden added 20, Leonard 17. The hinge was Q2, 40-21: LAC came in trailing by 15 and left it ahead by 4. Powell was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
12/08 @ UTA 117-103 — LAC notes
LAC won 117-103. LAC shot 49% (43 of 88) to UTA's 45%, 15 of 34 from three. Leonard led with 41 (14 of 23, 6 of 8 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); George added 20, Zubac 18. The hinge was Q2, 27-20: a lead of 6 became 13, and the lead reached 18. Leonard was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
12/11 vs POR 132-127 — LAC notes
LAC won 132-127. LAC shot 55% (49 of 89) to POR's 48%, 13 of 34 from three. Leonard led with 34 (11 of 19, 3 of 8 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); George added 20, Harden 20. The hinge was Q1, 43-32: from level to 11 ahead. Leonard was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
12/12 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Leonard at 27 and George at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Coffey (4 straight), Tucker (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Fox at 32 and Monk at 19 a game. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 113 a night to Sacramento's 120 and the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-4 a night and the Clippers minus-0. Call it the Clippers 118, Sacramento 114, Sacramento keeping it close.
12/14 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 109, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Leonard at 29 and George at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Tucker (7 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 28 free throws a game; Curry at 27 and Thompson at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Payton II (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-9 a night and the Clippers plus-3 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 109 a night to Golden State's 118. Call it the Clippers 118, Golden State 112.
12/16 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 109, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Leonard at 30 and Harden at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Tucker (8 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 130, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 29 free throws a game; Randle at 30 and Brunson at 28 a game. Without Robinson (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 109 a night to New York's 130. Call it the Clippers 121, New York 112.
12/18 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 129, shooting 49 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Haliburton at 20 and Turner at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Nembhard (4 straight), Smith (8 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 113, shooting 53 percent and 42 from three, 26 free throws a game; Leonard at 34 and George at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Tucker (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 113 a night to Indiana's 129 and the arc, the Clippers at 42 percent from three to Indiana's 32. Call it the Clippers 123, Indiana 120, Indiana keeping it close.
11/30 @ CLE 103-95 — POR notes
POR won 103-95. POR shot 51% (39 of 77) to CLE's 43%, 14 of 35 from three. POR turned it over 22 times to CLE's 17, and CLE turned those into 12 steals. Sharpe led with 29 (11 of 15, 4 of 7 from three); Grant added 13, Reath 13. The hinge was Q4, 29-20: POR came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 8. POR trailed 40-46 at the half and won the second half 63-49. Reath was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
12/02 @ UTA 113-118 — POR notes
POR lost 113-118 in 1 overtime. POR shot 40% (38 of 95) to UTA's 49%, 13 of 40 from three. POR turned it over 9 times to UTA's 17. The glass went 40-56 against them. Sharpe led with 25 (9 of 20, 3 of 8 from three); Brogdon added 25, Henderson 17. Q4 was theirs, 32-22, the deficit cut from 10 to 0, but the other 4 periods went 96-81 against them. Grant's -12 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/06 @ GSW 106-110 — POR notes
POR lost 106-110. POR took 9 more shots (95 to 86), fed by 11 offensive rebounds, but shot 41% to GSW's 42%, 16 of 46 from three, and got to the line 16 times to GSW's 33. POR turned it over 10 times to GSW's 17. The glass went 40-50 against them. Simons led with 28 (10 of 27, 6 of 13 from three); Sharpe added 26, Walker 12. Q1 was theirs, 26-22, but the other 3 periods went 88-80 against them. They led by as many as 11. Henderson's -15 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/08 vs DAL 112-125 — POR notes
POR lost 112-125. POR took 14 more shots (105 to 91), fed by 18 offensive rebounds, but shot 37% to DAL's 52%, 18 of 53 from three. Simons led with 30 (10 of 21, 4 of 10 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Sharpe added 24, Camara 14. Q2 was theirs, 38-34, the deficit cut from 15 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 91-74 against them. Camara's -23 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/11 @ LAC 127-132 — POR notes
POR lost 127-132. POR shot 48% (43 of 90) to LAC's 55%, 19 of 40 from three. Simons led with 38 (10 of 23, 5 of 11 from three, 13 of 13 at the line); Sharpe added 27, Henderson 19. Q2 was theirs, 33-23, the deficit cut from 11 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 109-94 against them. Sharpe's -15 in 41 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/14 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Simons at 32 and Sharpe at 26 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Grant (3 straight), Ayton (3 straight), Brogdon (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 125, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sexton at 18 and Collins at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Collins (2 straight), Juzang (6 straight), Sensabaugh (23 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-4 a night and Portland minus-3 and the arc, Portland at 37 percent from three to Utah's 31. Call it Portland 118, Utah 111.
12/16 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 121, shooting 41 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Simons at 26 and Sharpe at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Grant (4 straight), Rupert (8 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 113, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Dončić at 36 and Hardaway Jr. at 20 a game. Without Irving (3 straight), Green (6 straight), Kleber (16 straight). One day's rest.
So: Dallas wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Dallas allowing 113 a night to Portland's 121. Call it Dallas 118, Portland 114, Portland keeping it close.
12/17 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 124, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Simons at 28 and Sharpe at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Rupert (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Curry at 29 and Thompson at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Green (2 straight), Payton II (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-9 a night and Portland minus-0 and the turnovers, Golden State giving it away 17 times a game to Portland's 12. Call it Golden State 117, Portland 116, Portland keeping it close.
12/19 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 126, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Simons at 27 and Henderson at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Murray (2 straight), Mays (2 straight), Rupert (10 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 119, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 27 free throws a game; Booker at 30 and Durant at 28 a game. Without Okogie (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 119 a night to Portland's 126 and the line, where Phoenix takes 27 free throws a game to Portland's 21. Call it Portland 117, Phoenix 116, Phoenix keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LACDT D. Theis
IZ I. Zubac
JH J. Harden
KB K. Brown
KL K. Leonard
NP N. Powell
PG P. George
RW R. Westbrook
TM T. Mann
PORAS A. Simons
DR D. Reath
JW J. Walker
MB M. Brown
MT M. Thybulle
SH S. Henderson
SS S. Sharpe
TC T. Camara
LAC/POR the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Clippers hold off short-handed Trail Blazers 132-127 for 4th straight win
LOS ANGELES -- — Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers 132-127 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.
Paul George had 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Clippers, and James Harden added 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Ivica Zubac scored 18 as Los Angeles improved to 9-3 since a season-worst six-game skid.
Leonard has 75 points in his last two games.
“The biggest thing is health and finally getting his rhythm with PG and James starting,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.
Portland was without Deandre Ayton , who missed his third straight game, and Malcolm Brogdon , who sat out his second in a row. Both have right knee soreness.
Anfernee Simons scored a season-high 38 points and Shaedon Sharpe added 27 for the Blazers, who fell to 0-8 against the West on the road.
“I knew it was going to be a tough game for us,” Lue said. “Defensively, we couldn't get stops. They scored every way.”
Simons was perfect at the free-throw line, making a career-high 13 in his fourth game of the season. He returned last week after missing 18 games with a ligament tear in his right thumb.
The Blazers made a season-high 19 3-pointers. Simons had five and Sharpe had four.
“We played good, man,” Blazers coach and former Clipper Chauncey Billups said. “We just keep scrapping no matter what.”
Sharpe's basket gave Portland its first lead of the fourth, 121-120, after trailing by six.
The teams traded one-point leads, with Terance Mann hitting a pair of free throws to put the Clippers ahead, 124-123. George scored and Leonard hit two more free throws for a five-point lead.
Simons got fouled by George and made both to pull the Blazers within three with 16 seconds left. Simons' dunk left Portland trailing 130-127 before George hit two free throws to seal the win.
“My team's in a good rhythm, that's all I care about,” Leonard said. “Tonight the ball found me and I made shots.”
The Clippers closed a high-scoring third on a 12-5 run that gave them a 105-99 lead.
The Blazers hit 10 3-pointers in the period, including five in a row to start, but never led by more than five points. Russell Westbrook scored seven straight in the Clippers' run that gave them back control.
Portland erased a double-digit deficit in the second and took its first lead on a basket by former Clipper Moses Brown that capped an 8-0 run. George's basket put the Clippers ahead 66-65 going into halftime.
The Clippers shot 79% in the first quarter, building a 14-point lead behind Zubac's 14 points.
HARDEN DUNKS
Harden threw down a one-handed dunk in the third, his first since joining the Clippers 1 1/2 months ago.
“Let's get this clear. I can still dunk,” the 34-year-old 10-time All-Star said. “I got guys who can do it better.”
HE SAID IT
“When you’re trying to build something, there’s going to be some pain in that. It’s not easy because I love to win everything I do.” — Billups.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: Host the Utah Jazz on Thursday to open a five-game homestand.
Clippers: Host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday to complete a back-to-back.