LA CLIPPERS ESCAPE ORLEANS PELICANS
Tobias Harris saves the day for the Los Angeles Clippers after converting clutch free throws with 4.7 seconds left in the game
As comfortable as Lou Williams is going to his left, so are the Los Angeles Clippers in the clutch.
Even on the road, after blowing an 18-point lead.
Tobias Harris made two free throws with 4.7 seconds left to close out a 27-point performance, and the Clippers held off the New Orleans Pelicans 129-126 on Monday night.
“We’ve had a bunch of close games,” said Williams, whose 20-point night was highlighted by his contested, off-balance jumper as he dribbled left, giving the Clippers a 127-124 lead with 6.4 seconds remaining.
“If you’re going to compete in
the Western Conference — there’s a lot of talented teams — you’re going to have to be able to do that,” Williams continued. “So, I think that was good for us.”
After Williams’ pivotal shot, the Clippers chose to foul quickly on New Orleans’ next possession. Darius Miller made two free throws with 4.9 seconds to go and the Pelicans followed suit with a quick foul, but had to attempt a 3 as time ran out after Harris made his late free throws. E’Twaun Moore wound up with the final shot, which caromed off the rim for a long rebound as time expired.
Danilo Gallinari scored 24
points for the Clippers, who scored 77 points in the first half, when they shot 65.2 percent (30 of 46) and took a 12-point lead into the locker room.
Julius Randle scored a career-high 37 points for New Orleans, but fouled out with New Orleans leading by four with about four minutes left.
Jrue Holiday had season highs of 32 points and 14 assists, but he missed a 3 that could have given New Orleans the lead with 33 seconds left. Anthony Davis had 23 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, but sounded frustrated after New Orleans’ sixth loss in eight games. /