Clippers rout Suns for second time in week behind George
LOS ANGELES — Paul George scored 25 points, Ivica Zubac added 19 and the Los
Angeles Clippers beat the Suns 138-111 for the second time in five days on Monday night
James Harden had 19 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists for the Clippers, who won 131-122 in Phoenix last Wednesday and have won six of seven overall. Kawhi Leonard added 17 points.
Kevin Durant scored 20 of his 30 points in the first half for the Suns. They dropped their second in a row playing in a back-to-back. Devin Booker finished with 20 points and Bradley Beal had 15.
George and Harden had 15 points apiece in the first half when the Clippers shot a season-best 67 percent to lead 71-63 at the break. The Suns shot 51 percent but never led by more than five points.
The Clippers stretched their lead to 15 points in the third, when they made six 3-pointers by four different players. For the game, they shot 62 percent and had all five starters in double figures.
■ Jazz 132, Bucks 116: At Milwaukee, Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen had 21 points apiece for Utah, which has won five of its last six and is 11-4 over its last 15 games. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for Milwaukee, which was without guard Damian Lillard, who was out for personal reasons.
■ Heat 120, Rockets 113: At Miami, Tyler Herro scored 28 points and Bam Adebayo finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds for Miami, which was without Jimmy Butler for the eighth time in the last nine games as he continues to recover from a right toe joint sprain. Miami improved to 6-2 during those absences.
■ Thunder 136, Wizards 128: At Washington, Shai Gilgeous-alexander scored 32 points and Chet Holmgren added 31 for Oklahoma City, which shot 59.1 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range. Washington lost its fifth straight.
■ Bulls 119, Hornets 112: At Charlotte, N.C., Coby White scored 27 points and Andre Drummond added 21 points and 15 rebounds as Chicago overcame a 39-point performance from Charlotte’s Terry Rozier. The Hornets have lost 13 of their last 14 games.
■ Pacers 133, Celtics 131: At Indianapolis, Bennedict Mathurin scored 26 points, including the deciding free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining, and Indiana rallied after losing All-star point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a hamstring injury.