On the back of a 36-point game from point guard James Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers pulled off a 110-106 thriller against the Washington Wizards. The Clippers are 13-2 in their last 15 games and one of the hottest teams in the NBA.
With the Clippers up 106-103 with 57.6 seconds to play, forward Nicolas Batum fouled Washington’s forward Khris Middleton on a 3-point attempt. Middleton drilled all three free throws to even the game at 106. Harden was fouled on a drive down the left lane with 50 seconds remaining and went 2-for-2 at the free-throw line to put Los Angeles in front 108-106.
Washington forward Kyshawn George had a clean look at a go-ahead 3-pointer on the left wing but missed. Harden made two free throws to seal the game for the Clippers.
Harden led Los Angeles with a game high in points, was 18-of-20 from the free-throw line and added nine assists. Center Ivica Zubac had 12 rebounds and guard Jordan Miller contributed 16 points off the bench. The Wizards were led by center Alex Sarr who finished the night with 28 points and was 52% from the field.
After a groin injury sidelined Los Angeles forward John Collins for the last two games, he returned and contributed 11 points in 26 minutes played. The Clippers were without forward Kawhi Leonard who is dealing with a knee injury.
Both teams shot the ball well to begin the game and traded punches. Zubac was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field to start and Sarr scored eight points within the first five minutes for Washington. Heading into the second quarter, the game was tied at 26.
Despite a number of good looks for three in the first half, the Clippers were unable to capitalize, shooting 20% from 3-point range. Los Angeles forced nine turnovers in the first half and led by as much as six points, but the Wizards were able to keep the game within shouting distance, trailing 54-53 at halftime.
An energetic start to the 3rd quarter for Washington led to a 5-for-7 start from the field as the Wizards took their largest lead at that point in the game, 67-58. A 10-0 scoring run for the Clippers, with eight points scored by Harden late in the third quarter, put Los Angeles on top 79-78.
The Clippers’ lead was short-lived as a 3-pointer from George allowed the Wizards to regain the lead and head into the final quarter up 81-79.
The Wizards committed five turnovers to begin the fourth quarter and Los Angeles retook the lead. With 2:11 to play, a big 3-pointer from Washington guard Bub Carrington tied the game at 103, setting up the dramatic finish.
Los Angeles faces the Chicago Bulls in game two of their back-to-back. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at United Center.