George scores the late winner as the Clippers erase a huge deficit to beat the Warriors

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Clippers lead by just 9.2 seconds against the Golden State Warriors. That was all the time they needed.

Paul George hit a 3-pointer to give the Clippers their first lead of the game and hold on for a 113-112 victory on Saturday after trailing by 22 points in the second half.

George was the Clippers’ top scorer with 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. James Harden He added 21 points and Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points. They lost three out of five.

“This was a brave win for us and we needed a win like this,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.

Stephen Curry missed an opportunity as the Warriors maintained their lead 112-110. Russell Westbrook grabbed the defensive rebound and fed George in transition.

“I was looking at Steve all the time, and Steve was looking at me,” George said. “I was looking to go to the rim. Steve was stuck in the paint waiting for my drive. At that point it was just trying to create space for the three.

After the timeout, Curry got into the paint, joined a double-team and passed to Draymond Green, who missed a Game 3 at the buzzer. The Warriors made 17 three-pointers in the game, four each from Green, Curry and Klay Thompson.

“He’s a great player and can shoot the ball anywhere on the floor and with one foot. Just try to stay in front of him,” said Leonard, who was helping guard Curry at the end. “My teammates did a good job. Ross stepped up, made him think about it, and passed it into the corner.

Curry led the Warriors with 22 points and 11 assists in his 900th NBA game. Green scored 21 points and nine rebounds, and Moses Moody added 21 points and made 9 of 10 free throws.

The Warriors blew a big lead for the second time this week, after blowing a 24-point lead to Sacramento on Tuesday.

“We felt like we deserved this win,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

The Clippers took revenge for their loss to Golden State 120-114 two days ago in San Francisco.

“It’s big,” Leonard said. “We’ve been trying to be consistent. We’re improving but very slowly. With the way things have gone, it’s great to get the win. We just have to keep our confidence and stay motivated.”

The Warriors led 111-106 after two free throws from Moody with 1 minute and 22 seconds left. Harden scored to put the Clippers within striking distance before George’s game-winning shot.

Thompson’s three-pointer increased Golden State’s lead to 98-88 at the start of the fourth period. The Clippers went on seven straight drives to get within three points.

Harden led by 15 points. The Clippers rallied From 22 points to two points in third place. But Thompson hit a basket and a 3-pointer to preserve the Warriors’ 92-85 lead heading into the fourth.

The Warriors expanded the lead to 17 points in second place. The Clippers finally gathered some momentum, defeating Golden State 10-2 to close the gap to nine.

But Curry responded by scoring 10 of the Warriors’ last 12 points, hitting consecutive three-pointers, giving the team a 67-48 lead at halftime. Five players combined to make 12 of 22 3s in the half, when the Warriors dished out 19 assists.

The Warriors set the offensive tone with Green’s first 3-pointer to open the game. They made seven 3s in the quarter when they led by 13 points. Green sank back-to-back 3s that sparked a raucous response from a crowd full of Golden State fans. His four 3-pointers nearly tied a career high in a quarter.

Golden State’s Chris Paul missed his second straight game due to a nerve contusion in his lower left leg. Andrew Wiggins sat with pain in his right ring finger.

the next

Warriors: Host Portland on Wednesday.

Clippers: Host Denver on Wednesday, nine days after blowing an 11-point lead and losing to the Nuggets.