Kawhi Leonard's 33 points lead the way as the Clippers defeat the Cavaliers 132-119.
Los Angeles Clippers #2 Kawhi Leonard (F) is pulling up for a jump shot inside the key while his shot is being challenged by a Cleveland Cavaliers defender. Photo by Deangelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 March 18, 2025.
INGLEWOOD, CA - The Los Angeles Clippers (39-30) defeated the #1 team in the NBA last night the Cleveland Cavaliers (56-12) 132-119. The Cavaliers came into the game with the best record in the NBA, but now have lost their second consecutive game after losing to the Clippers who were missing their Head Coach Tyronn Lue due to back pain.
Assistant Coach Brian Shaw filled in for the injured Lue and had the team clicking on all cylinders. “It was nice to see when different guys got going at different times you know nobody tried to hijack the game they just kept feeding whoever was hot.
Bogey had his moments, Zu had his moments, Kawhai had his moments, James had his moments and that's the way we're going to need to play if we want to be successful and go where we want to”, Shaw added after the game. It took an overall team effort to upset the Cavaliers.
Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points on 12 of 19 attempts, James Harden added 22 points, Bogdan Bogdanović contributed 20 points and Ivica Zubac scored 28 points and grabbed 20 rebounds. When asked if this was a statement win postgame Zubac replied “We're just trying to get wins and win as many as we can. We think we can play against anyone when we are at our best and I think we showed that tonight.
Cleveland Cavaliers #45 Donovan Mitchell (G) is pushing the basketball upcourt while being chase by the Los Angeles Clippers #7 Amir Coffey (G/F). Photo by Deangelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 March 18, 2025.
That’s the best team in the league right there, you know the best record.” James Harden and Donovan Mitchell both came out of the gate swinging. Harden scored 11 points in the opening quarter. Mitchell and Deandre Hunter both had 10 to lead the Cavs in the first quarter.
Los Angeles shot 51% making 21 of 41 attempts and went 12 of 23 for 52% from three-point distance in the first half. Cleveland shot 56% from the field making 26 of 46 attempts and shot 50% from behind the arc, going 11 of 22. The Cavs led at halftime 73-68. Harden led the Clippers in scoring throughout the first half with 13 points. DeAndre Hunter took charge for the Cavaliers with 15 points.
Los Angeles Clippers #40 Ivica Zubac (C) is going up for a baby-sky hook inside the key over the Cleveland Cavaliers #31 Jarrett Allen (C). Photo by Deangelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 March 18, 2025.
In the third period, Leonard and Zubac both got it going combining for 28 points. The game remained a close-knit contest but it was the Clippers’ defense that allowed Los Angeles to get stops to create some separation between them.
Los Angeles shot 58%, making 25 of 43 attempts in the second half. Cleveland shot 40% from the field in the second half and struggled from long distance as well shooting 15%, making only 3 of 19 attempts.
The Clippers opened the fourth quarter with a 12-0 run to give them a 115-103 lead with 9:12 remaining in the game.
The Cavaliers were able to cut the deficit to 6 with the score being 113-119 and 5:33 left in the game but could string together enough stops with the Clippers clicking on all cylinders.
Los Angeles dominated Cleveland on the boards 49-29 and shot 54% in the game and 45% from the three-point line while holding them to shooting 48% from the field and shooting 34% from behind the arc.
The Clippers have won seven of their last eight games and four games in a row as they prepare to welcome the Memphis Grizzlies to Intuit Dome on Friday.