PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — James Harden scored 34 points, Brook Lopez scored 31 points, including a career-high nine 3-pointers, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 119-103 on Friday night for their third straight victory.
Kawhi Leonard had 28 points, eight rebounds and six assists, including 18 points in the fourth quarter.
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Deni Avdija led Portland with 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
The Clippers outscored the Blazers 63-41 in the second half, including a 19-1 run in the third quarter, to take control.
Donovan Clingan's free throw made it 71-59 for the Blazers with 8:16 left in the third quarter, Portland's largest lead of the game. After a drought for both teams, the Clippers took over.
After Lopez's seventh 3-pointer made it 72-67, interim Blazers coach Thiago Splitter was called for a technical foul. Leonard made the free throw to make it 72-68.
Harden made two free throws and then scored on a layup to tie the game at 72.
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The Clippers took their first lead, 75-72, with 3:23 left in the third quarter on Lopez's eighth three. Lopez connected on his ninth trey to make it 78-72.
Harden's four-point play with 1:06 left in the third quarter extended the lead to 85-77.
Leonard hit a wild shot over Clingan to make it 95-86.
After Avdija's basket cut Los Angeles' lead to seven, the Clippers had six points to extend their lead to 101-88 with 8:19 left.
After the Clippers cut Portland's halftime lead to 52–50, the Blazers went on a 9–0 run, capped by a quick dunk by Shadon Sharpe to make it 61–50, forcing the Clippers to call a timeout.
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After a timeout, a 3-pointer from Harden and a 3-pointer from Kobe Sanders helped cut Portland's lead to 62-56 at the break.
Next
The Clippers will host the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.
The Blazers host the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
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NBA AP: https://apnews.com/nba
