The Clippers go small ball to come from behind to beat Piston 112-106
Los Angeles Clippers #13 Paul George (F) slashing to the basket for a layup. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Paul George scored 33 points, Kawhi Leonard added 24, and the Los Angeles Clippers who were outrebounded 57-35, rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Detroit Pistons 112-106 at Crypto.com Arena.
The Clippers led 12-2 in the first quarter, and a three-pointer by Kawhi Leonard forced the Pistons to take a timeout.
Detroit would go on a 12-2 run to tie the game 14-14, capped by a three-pointer from Simone Fontecchio. Russell Westbrook would score a three-pointer, giving the Clippers a 22-19 edge.
"It was an excellent start. "It was sluggish after the start," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. "The second half, we went small and were able to score a lot better."
Leonard swiped the ball and drove downcourt for a slam dunk, giving the Clippers a 26-24 lead. The Pistons trail 31-30 at the end of the quarter.
Detriot led 32-31 in the second quarter after Shake Milton hit a running floater. Paul George would glide to the hoop for a layup, leaving the Clippers behind 38-37. George knotted the game at 41-41 with a step-back jump jumper from the left side of the hoop.
Detroit Piston #9 Ausar Thompson two-handed power dunk in the second quarter. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
Tyronn Lue, the Clippers' head coach, took a timeout after Ausar Thompson's dunk gave Detroit a 52-43 lead with 4:47 remaining in the second quarter.
The Clippers trailed 58-49 at halftime after Westbrook hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Give the Pistons credit. They've been performing well over the last three to four games. This is one of those difficult games, playing early (in the day) against a youthful team, and you have to be prepared for them," George said.
George hit a three-pointer in the third quarter, putting the Clippers down 64-54. With James Harden's three-pointer, the Clippers trailed 72-65. Detroit led 81-76 at the end of the third quarter.
Amir Coffey made two 3-pointers off the bench in the fourth quarter, sparking the Clippers' attack. James Harden, who ended with 14 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, hit three straight free throws to give the Clippers their first lead, 89-88, since early in the second.
George scored a three-pointer, giving the Clippers a ten-point lead at 104-94. Free throws by Leonard and Westbrook sealed the victory for the Clippers, who improved their record to (35-16), while the Pistons dropped to (8-44).