Field Level Media
Feb 24, 2021
Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points and Paul George contributed 30 points as the host Los Angeles Clippers ended the Washington Wizards' five-game winning streak with a 135-116 victory on Tuesday.
Leonard connected on 13 of 20 shots and grabbed seven rebounds for the Clippers, who have alternated wins and losses the past five games. George hit 11 of 17 field-goal attempts, including 6 of 7 from 3-point range, and pulled down six rebounds.
Reggie Jackson added 17 points for Los Angeles, which also got 12 points apiece from Terance Mann and Ivica Zubac and 11 points from Marcus Morris Sr. Zubac also had 12 rebounds.
Bradley Beal scored 28 points and dished out 10 assists while Russell Westbrook finished with 20 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for the Wizards. Moritz Wagner added 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Rui Hachimura chipped in 10 points and nine boards. Raul Neto had 11 points.
The Wizards, who were playing the second end of back-to-back contests after a 127-124 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, fell behind by 24 points early before making a run in the second half.
However, the Clippers opened the fourth quarter with a 17-8 surge for a 116-102 edge after a 3-pointer by Jackson with 6:39 left. The Clippers controlled the contest the rest of the way.
The Wizards wiped out nearly all of a 17-point halftime deficit to pull within 99-94 heading into the fourth quarter. After a jumper by Jackson boosted the Clippers to a 95-77 lead, the Wizards closed the third with a 17-4 run.
Washington outscored Los Angeles 39-27 in the third.
The Clippers dominated in the first half, racing to a 36-20 advantage after one quarter and taking a 72-55 lead into the break.
The Clippers were sparked by their hot shooting, converting 61.2 percent of their first-half shots compared to 47.8 percent for the Wizards. Overall, Los Angeles shot 57.4 percent to 53.4 percent for Washington.
George scored 25 points in the first half.
Clippers reserve guard Lou Williams (rest) sat out the contest.
--Field Level Media