Game ID: 22301003
LA Clippers @ Portland Trail Blazers
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET
Moda Center, Portland, OR
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
POR 28 22 20 33 103LAC 27 33 34 22 116
LAC @ POR ScoutingLAC @ 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.
POR availability going into 3/13 · 1 day's restOUT Sharpe missed 27 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Walker missed 3 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Hagans missed 2 since 3/09, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 2 since 3/09, returns tonight: 15 min (132% of 11)
OUT Badji missed 6 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 17 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Grant back 3/11 after 2, 36 min since (105% of 34)
BACK Ayton back 3/09 after 5, 36 min since (112% of 32)
BACK Henderson back 3/09 after 8, 30 min since (105% of 28)
BACK Camara back 3/08 after 2, 29 min since (117% of 25)
NEW Murray 22 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Reath 18 to 26 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 3/14 · back-to-backOUT Sharpe missed 28 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Walker missed 4 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Hagans missed 3 since 3/09, returns tonight: 22 min (133% of 17)
OUT Badji missed 7 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 18 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Grant back 3/11 after 2, 36 min since (105% of 34)
BACK Ayton back 3/09 after 5, 38 min since (117% of 32)
BACK Henderson back 3/09 after 8, 26 min since (90% of 28)
BACK Camara back 3/08 after 2, 29 min since (118% of 25)
BACK Minaya back 3/13 after 2, 15 min since (132% of 11)
NEW Murray 22 to 27 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 3/16 · 1 day's restOUT Sharpe missed 29 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Walker missed 5 since 3/08, returns tonight: 17 min (72% of 24)
OUT Rupert missed 2 since 3/13, returns tonight: 12 min (72% of 16)
OUT Badji missed 8 since 3/02, returns tonight: 2 min (17% of 10)
OUT Moore missed 19 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Grant back 3/11 after 2, 36 min since (105% of 34)
BACK Ayton back 3/09 after 5, 38 min since (118% of 32)
BACK Henderson back 3/09 after 8, 26 min since (90% of 28)
BACK Camara back 3/08 after 2, 30 min since (122% of 25)
BACK Hagans back 3/14 after 3, 22 min since (133% of 17)
BACK Minaya back 3/13 after 2, 14 min since (124% of 11)
NEW Murray 22 to 29 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 3/18 · 1 day's restOUT Sharpe missed 30 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 20 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Grant back 3/11 after 2, 36 min since (105% of 34)
BACK Ayton back 3/09 after 5, 38 min since (118% of 32)
BACK Henderson back 3/09 after 8, 25 min since (89% of 28)
BACK Walker back 3/16 after 5, 17 min since (72% of 24)
BACK Hagans back 3/14 after 3, 22 min since (133% of 17)
BACK Rupert back 3/16 after 2, 12 min since (72% of 16)
BACK Minaya back 3/13 after 2, 10 min since (88% of 11)
BACK Badji back 3/16 after 8, 2 min since (17% of 10)
NEW Camara 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 22 to 27 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 3/20 · 1 day's restOUT Sharpe missed 31 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Hagans missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 21 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Grant back 3/11 after 2, 36 min since (105% of 34)
BACK Walker back 3/16 after 5, 25 min since (107% of 24)
BACK Rupert back 3/16 after 2, 8 min since (47% of 16)
BACK Minaya back 3/13 after 2, 10 min since (88% of 11)
BACK Badji back 3/16 after 8, 2 min since (17% of 10)
NEW Ayton 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 22 to 28 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT Sharpe missed 32 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Hagans missed 3 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 2 since 3/18, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 22 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Walker back 3/16 after 5, 24 min since (104% of 24)
BACK Rupert back 3/16 after 2, 12 min since (72% of 16)
BACK Minaya back 3/13 after 2, 9 min since (81% of 11)
NEW Murray 22 to 30 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 3/23 · back-to-backOUT Sharpe missed 33 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 2 since 3/20, out tonight
OUT Hagans missed 4 since 3/16, returns tonight: 21 min (129% of 17)
OUT Badji missed 3 since 3/18, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 23 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Walker back 3/16 after 5, 25 min since (107% of 24)
BACK Rupert back 3/16 after 2, 15 min since (90% of 16)
NEW Murray 22 to 31 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Sharpe missed 34 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Ayton missed 2 since 3/22, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 3 since 3/20, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 2 since 3/22, returns tonight: 5 min (47% of 11)
OUT Badji missed 4 since 3/18, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 24 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Walker back 3/16 after 5, 25 min since (108% of 24)
BACK Hagans back 3/23 after 4, 21 min since (129% of 17)
BACK Rupert back 3/16 after 2, 15 min since (91% of 16)
NEW Murray 22 to 32 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 2 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 35 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Ayton missed 3 since 3/22, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 4 since 3/20, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 5 since 3/18, returns tonight: 2 min (16% of 10)
OUT Moore missed 25 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Hagans back 3/23 after 4, 22 min since (136% of 17)
BACK Minaya back 3/25 after 2, 5 min since (47% of 11)
NEW Murray 22 to 33 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Westbrook missed 5 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Zubac back 3/03 after 2, 22 min since (81% of 27)
BACK Tucker back 3/10 after 5, 26 min since (170% of 15)
BACK Plumlee back 3/06 after 2, 13 min since (95% of 14)
BACK Boston back 3/10 after 4, 18 min since (178% of 10)
LAC availability going into 3/14 · 1 day's restOUT Westbrook missed 6 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Tucker back 3/10 after 5, 26 min since (170% of 15)
BACK Plumlee back 3/06 after 2, 10 min since (73% of 14)
BACK Boston back 3/10 after 4, 13 min since (133% of 10)
LAC availability going into 3/15 · back-to-backOUT Westbrook missed 7 since 3/03, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 2 since 3/12, returns tonight: 24 min (161% of 15)
BACK Plumlee back 3/06 after 2, 8 min since (59% of 14)
BACK Boston back 3/10 after 4, 12 min since (116% of 10)
NEW Hyland 14 to 19 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Harden missed 2 since 3/14, returns tonight: 36 min (103% of 35)
OUT Westbrook missed 8 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Tucker back 3/10 after 5, 25 min since (165% of 15)
BACK Boston back 3/10 after 4, 12 min since (116% of 10)
NEW Hyland 14 to 22 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/20 · 2 days' restOUT Westbrook missed 9 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Tucker back 3/10 after 5, 23 min since (156% of 15)
BACK Boston back 3/10 after 4, 9 min since (93% of 10)
NEW Hyland 14 to 21 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT Powell missed 2 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Westbrook missed 10 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Tucker back 3/15 after 2, 23 min since (156% of 15)
LAC availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Powell missed 3 since 3/17, returns tonight: 25 min (93% of 26)
OUT Westbrook missed 11 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Tucker back 3/15 after 2, 20 min since (131% of 15)
LAC availability going into 3/25 · back-to-backOUT Westbrook missed 12 since 3/03, returns tonight: 18 min (82% of 22)
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (102% of 35)
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 25 min since (93% of 26)
BACK Tucker back 3/15 after 2, 20 min since (131% of 15)
LAC availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restBACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 35 min since (101% of 35)
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 28 min since (105% of 26)
BACK Westbrook back 3/25 after 12, 18 min since (82% of 22)
NEW Coffey 21 to 26 min over the last 5
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 102 a night and allowing 113, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 18 free throws a game; Simons at 27 and Ayton at 26 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Sharpe (31 straight), Hagans (2 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 21 a game. Without Westbrook (9 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Clippers 112, Portland 111, Portland keeping it close.
3/13 vs ATL 106-102 — POR notes
POR won 106-102. POR shot 46% (38 of 82) to ATL's 43%, 10 of 30 from three, and went to the line 24 times to ATL's 18 — 20 points from the stripe to their 12. The glass went 49-38 for them. Simons led with 36 (10 of 23, 5 of 13 from three, 11 of 11 at the line); Ayton added 33, Banton 12. The hinge was Q3, 35-23: POR came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 7. POR trailed 47-52 at the half and won the second half 59-50. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
3/14 vs NYK 93-105 — POR notes
POR lost 93-105. POR shot 40% (34 of 84) to NYK's 44%, 11 of 33 from three, and got to the line 16 times to NYK's 26. POR turned it over 17 times to NYK's 12, and NYK turned those into 11 steals. Ayton led with 31 (12 of 21, 6 of 6 at the line); Banton added 16, Henderson 12. Q4 was theirs, 25-20, the deficit cut from 17 to 12, but the other 3 periods went 85-68 against them. Banton's -20 in 42 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/16 @ NOP 107-126 — POR notes
POR lost 107-126. POR shot 50% (42 of 84) to NOP's 54%, 12 of 33 from three. POR turned it over 19 times to NOP's 9, and NOP turned those into 8 steals. Banton led with 28 (10 of 20, 4 of 8 from three); Simons added 25, Ayton 20. Q2 was theirs, 35-37, but the other 3 periods went 89-72 against them. Henderson's -23 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/18 @ CHI 107-110 — POR notes
POR lost 107-110. POR shot 45% (40 of 88) to CHI's 44%, 8 of 28 from three. Simons led with 30 (10 of 24, 4 of 14 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Ayton added 25, Henderson 14. Q4 was theirs, 32-21, the deficit cut from 14 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 89-75 against them. Camara's -10 in 14 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/20 vs LAC 103-116 — POR notes
POR lost 103-116. POR shot 48% (39 of 81) to LAC's 52%, 15 of 34 from three. POR turned it over 17 times to LAC's 11, and LAC turned those into 15 steals. Henderson led with 18 (6 of 15, 2 of 5 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Murray added 17, Simons 14. Q4 was theirs, 33-22, the deficit cut from 24 to 13, but the other 3 periods went 94-70 against them. Simons's -17 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/22 vs LAC — 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 103 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Simons at 26 and Ayton at 23 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Sharpe (32 straight), Hagans (3 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 22 a game. Without Powell (2 straight), Westbrook (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 17 times a game to the Clippers' 13 and the glass, where Portland has been plus-0 a night and the Clippers minus-4. Call it the Clippers 111, Portland 110, Portland keeping it close.
3/23 vs DEN — 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 105 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Ayton at 21 and Simons at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Sharpe (33 straight), Thybulle (2 straight), Hagans (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 103, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jokić at 25 and Porter Jr. at 23 a game. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 103 a night to Portland's 116 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 15 times a game to Denver's 11. Call it Denver 114, Portland 107.
3/25 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 133 a night and allowing 114, shooting 53 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 34 and VanVleet at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Whitmore (6 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Simons at 18 and Henderson at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Sharpe (34 straight), Ayton (2 straight), Thybulle (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-6 a night and Portland minus-1 and the arc, Houston at 41 percent from three to Portland's 37. Call it Houston 121, Portland 110, Houston by 11.
3/27 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 17 free throws a game; Murray at 22 and Hunter at 17 a game. Without Young (15 straight), Johnson (3 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; Henderson at 19 and Banton at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Simons (2 straight), Sharpe (35 straight), Ayton (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the arc, Atlanta at 40 percent from three to Portland's 33 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 14 times a game to Atlanta's 10. Call it Atlanta 118, Portland 110.
3/12 vs MIN 100-118 — LAC notes
LAC lost 100-118. LAC shot 47% (34 of 72) to MIN's 51%, 11 of 30 from three, and went to the line 25 times to MIN's 14 — 21 points from the stripe to their 10. LAC turned it over 18 times to MIN's 9, and MIN turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 34-48 against them. George led with 22 (5 of 11, 2 of 5 from three, 10 of 10 at the line); Harden added 12, Powell 11. Q1 was theirs, 34-21, but the other 3 periods went 97-66 against them. They led by as many as 22. Mann's -20 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/14 @ CHI 126-111 — LAC notes
LAC won 126-111. LAC shot 60% (48 of 80) to CHI's 48%, 20 of 40 from three. George led with 28 (11 of 12, 6 of 7 from three); Leonard added 27, Powell 18. The hinge was Q1, 37-26: from level to 11 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Zubac was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
3/15 @ NOP 104-112 — LAC notes
LAC lost 104-112. LAC shot 48% (37 of 77) to NOP's 48%, 12 of 33 from three. George led with 26 (10 of 21, 3 of 9 from three); Leonard added 23, Powell 15. Q3 was theirs, 36-32, the deficit cut from 6 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 80-68 against them. Coffey's -14 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/17 vs ATL 93-110 — LAC notes
LAC lost 93-110. LAC shot 38% (28 of 74) to ATL's 49%, 11 of 36 from three, and went to the line 29 times to ATL's 12 — 26 points from the stripe to their 11. Leonard led with 28 (8 of 17, 3 of 8 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); George added 26. Q4 was theirs, 31-22, the deficit cut from 26 to 17, but the other 3 periods went 88-62 against them. Zubac's -20 in 23 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/20 @ POR 116-103 — LAC notes
LAC won 116-103. LAC shot 52% (45 of 86) to POR's 48%, 13 of 31 from three. LAC turned it over 11 times to POR's 17. George led with 27 (10 of 18, 4 of 7 from three); Leonard added 24, Harden 19. The hinge was Q3, 34-20: a lead of 10 became 24, and the lead reached 27. George was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
3/22 @ POR — 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 103 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Simons at 26 and Ayton at 23 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Sharpe (32 straight), Hagans (3 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 22 a game. Without Powell (2 straight), Westbrook (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 17 times a game to the Clippers' 13 and the glass, where Portland has been plus-0 a night and the Clippers minus-4. Call it the Clippers 111, Portland 110, Portland keeping it close.
3/24 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 111, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; George at 28 and Leonard at 25 a game. Without Powell (3 straight), Westbrook (11 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 104, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Maxey at 25 and Oubre Jr. at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Embiid (24 straight), Melton (12 straight), Covington (38 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 40 percent from three to Philadelphia's 34 and the glass, where the Clippers have been minus-1 a night and Philadelphia minus-7. Call it the Clippers 113, Philadelphia 108.
3/25 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 23 a game. Without Westbrook (12 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 114, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 16 free throws a game; Siakam at 27 and Haliburton at 17 a game. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Indiana wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where the Clippers take 22 free throws a game to Indiana's 16. Call it Indiana 117, the Clippers 116, the Clippers keeping it close.
3/27 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 104, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Maxey at 23 and Oubre Jr. at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Embiid (26 straight), Melton (14 straight), Covington (40 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 24 a game. One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 104 a night to the Clippers' 117 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-0 a night and Philadelphia minus-5. Call it Philadelphia 113, the Clippers 110, the Clippers keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PORAS A. Simons
DA D. Ayton
DB D. Banton
DR D. Reath
JM J. Minaya
JW J. Walker
KM K. Murray
MB M. Brown
RR R. Rupert
SH S. Henderson
TC T. Camara
LACAC A. Coffey
BB B. Boston
BH B. Hyland
DT D. Theis
IZ I. Zubac
JH J. Harden
KL K. Leonard
MP M. Plumlee
PG P. George
PT P. Tucker
XM X. Moon
POR/LAC 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
George and Harden lead Clippers past Trail Blazers 116-103
PORTLAND, Ore. -- — Paul George scored 27 points, James Harden had 19 points and 14 assists and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 116-103 on Wednesday night.
The victory gave the Clippers a one-game lead over the New Orleans Pelicans for the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Scoot Henderson had 18 points and five assists for Portland and fellow rookie Kris Murray had a season-high 17 points.
The teams meet again Friday night in Portland to complete a two-game set.
The Clippers used a 34-point third quarter, which included 17 of Kawhi Leonard’s 24 points, to put the game out of reach.
After leading 60-50 at halftime, the Clippers took things into overdrive. Portland cut the Clippers’ lead to eight multiple times early in the third quarter before Los Angeles pushed the lead to 72-58, forcing a Blazers timeout.
Portland turned the ball over after the timeout on back-to-back possessions, including a 3-point play from Leonard, pushing the lead to 77-58.
“We got really good individuals on the defensive side and we put it together tonight,” George said. “We played good defense, we got stops, we got out and got some easy opportunities.
"Honestly, that’s when we are clicking and at our best — when we don’t have to come against a loaded defense every possession.”
The Blazers committed seven turnovers in the third quarter leading to 13 Clippers points.
“It was a lot of turnovers that led to points. That was the biggest thing. That was kind of all it is,” Murray said of Portland’s third-quarter struggles.
Amir Coffey’s 3-pointer pushed the lead to 84-60, forcing another timeout by Portland.
“We had a mindset of let’s get another run,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said of the Clippers' ability to extend leads. “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, whose largest lead was 27, outscored the Trail Blazers 34-20 in the third quarter.
Los Angeles jumped out to a 47-35 lead midway through the second quarter. Harden hit back-to-back 3-pointers to force a Blazers timeout with 6:04 left in the half.