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Clippers vs. Thunder Recap: Paul George takes over
The LA Clippers grabbed a big win, 128-117 over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder in a game that had seeding implications.
Summary
If the Oklahoma City Thunder had tired legs from playing the night before against the LA Lakers, they didn’t really show it.
The Clippers threatened to pull away at multiple points in the game, but the Thunder kept it close. Both the first and second quarters were tight with the Clippers leading 65-61 by halftime.
It was a big game considering the fact that the Clippers came into the game only two games back of the Thunder in the loss column. While the Thunder were able to keep up with the Clippers early on, it was evident the Clippers understood the magnitude of this game.
In the second half the Clippers managed to push their lead to ten points, 99-89, heading into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter was where the Thunder’s youthful legs began to show again. The Thunder used a 21-9 spurt to cut into the Clippers lead and get back into the game.
Both teams traded blows as the fourth quarter went on with the Thunder even snatching the lead briefly at 115-114 off a Jalen Williams three-pointer with a little over three minutes to go in the game.
That was close to when Paul George took over. George scored 11 of the Clippers final 14 points. He outscored the entire Thunder team, 11-2 in the final three minutes and half minutes.
It was one of the best games George has played this season and in a Clippers jersey overall. He finished with 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and zero turnovers. He shot 15-24 from the field and 6-12 from the three-point line.
With the win, the Clippers have pulled to within one game of the Thunder for the second seed in the Western Conference standings.
Clippers vs. Thunder Recap: Paul George takes over
David Yapkowitz