Leonard scores 38, George 22 in Clippers' win over Knicks
Kawhi Leonard scored 38 points and the host Los Angeles Clippers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 106-95 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Paul George added 22 points for the Clippers, who have won their last three games after dropping five straight.
“It feels good to be on a winning streak and play well,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “I knew we made some changes (near last month's trade deadline) and it was going to take time. We have played well in some of those earlier games and not get the win.”
It was Leonard's seventh straight game with at least 21 points, and he's averaging 31 points during that stretch. He also has four 30-point games during that span.
“I got some open looks in the third quarter,” said Leonard, who scored 19 in the third quarter, including three 3-pointers. “You know, started off attacking the basket, ended up getting that and-one. And then from there, just shot the ball with confidence.”
Besides Leonard's hot play, the other difference the past two games has been the Clippers playing better defense. New York shot 32 of 90 from the field, marking the first time this season the Clippers have held teams under 40% in two straight games.
Immanuel Quickley had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who have dropped three straight after a nine-game winning streak. Quickley started in place of Jalen Brunson, who was sidelined with a sore left foot.
Julius Randle scored 19 despite shooting 5 of 24.
CELTICS 134, HAWKS 125 >> Jayson Tatum led a balanced attack by scoring 11 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter, and visiting Boston overcame Atlanta's fourthquarter comeback bid. The Celtics opened a six-game trip by having six players score in double figures. Jaylen Brown had 24 points. Tatum added 14 rebounds. Trae Young had 35 points and 13 assists for the Hawks, who could not maintain momentum following back-to-back wins at Washington. The Hawks remain eighth in the Eastern Conference standings.
JAZZ 119, HORNETS 111 >> Talen Horton-Tucker scored a seasonhigh 37 points and had 10 assists and nine rebounds for visiting Utah. Walker Kessler added 17 points and 16 rebounds and Kelly Olynyk had 17 points for the Jazz, who outrebounded the Hornets 60-43. Lauri Markkanen had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 24 points and Terry Rozier added 22 for the Hornets, who had their two-game win streak snapped. Utah (33-35) entered the night a half-game behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the 10th spot in the Western Conference.
PACERS 121, PISTONS 115 >> Jalen Smith scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and visiting Indiana extended Detroit's losing streak to 11 games. Isaiah Jackson added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Pacers (31-37), who are 5-2 in its past seven games. Isaiah Livers had a career-high 18 points for the Pistons (15-53), and Killian Hayes had 17 points and 13 assists. The Pistons were missing five of their top six scorers. The Pacers played without Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner.
MAGIC 126, HEAT 114 (OT) >> Wendell Carter had 27 points and 11 rebounds and host Orlando bounced back from a fourthquarter collapse to beat Miami in overtime. Jimmy Butler scored 38 points for the Heat, including 15 in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter when Miami overcame a 15-point deficit. Butler's 3-pointer at the buzzer sent the game to overtime. Paolo Banchero had 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Magic. Franz Wagner had 17 points and eight rebounds before leaving with an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter.