The Los Angeles Clippers only led for 9.2 seconds against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. That was all the time they needed.
Paul George hit a stepback three-pointer for the Clippers’ first lead of the game and they hung on for a 113-112 victory after trailing by 22 points in the second half.
“We just didn’t give up,” he said. “That’s what it takes.”
Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA Today
George led the Clippers with 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. James Harden added 21 points and Kawhi Leonard had 20. They had dropped three of five coming in.
“This was a gutsy win for us and we needed a win like this,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.
Stephen Curry missed a jumper with the Warriors clinging to a 112-110 lead. Russell Westbrook grabbed the defensive rebound and fed George in transition.
“I was looking at Steph the whole time, Steph’s looking at me,” George said. “I was looking to go to the rim. Steph kind of held in the paint waiting for my drive. At that point it was just try to create space for the three.”
After a timeout, Curry got into the paint, got double-teamed and passed to Draymond Green, who missed a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer. The Warriors made 17 three-pointers in the game, with four each by Green, Curry and Klay Thompson.
“He’s a great player and can shoot the ball anywhere on the floor and off one leg. Just try to stay in front of him,” said Leonard, who was helping guard Curry at the end. “My teammates did a good job. Russ stepped up and made him think about it, and he passed it to the corner.”
Curry led the Warriors with 22 points and 11 assists in his 900th NBA game. Green had 21 points and nine rebounds, and Moses Moody added 21 points and made nine of 10 free throws.
The Warriors blew a huge lead for the second time this week, having lost a 24-point advantage against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
“It felt like we deserved this one,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
The Clippers avenged a 120-114 loss to Golden State two days earlier in San Francisco.
“It’s big,” Leonard said. “We’ve been trying to be consistent. We’re getting better but very slow. With the way things have been going it feels great to pull out a win. We just got to stay confident and stay motivated.”
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