James Harden hit a game-winning 3-pointer against the Houston Rockets to give the Los Angeles Clippers their first win in the Harden era. Kawhi Leonard passed the ball to Harden, who hit his patented step-back 3 over Jae’Sean Tate.
After the game, Leonard talked about Harden’s clutch shot.
The Clippers snapped a six-game losing streak by scoring 12 of the final 13 points to overcome a 99-94 deficit with 2:15 left. Leonard finished with 26 points, Harden put up 24 points and Paul George scored 23 points.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
“I think it’s just a great balance,” George said. “Honestly, when we’re going in spurts and everybody makes an imprint on the game, it’s tough to match up with us. And I think we showed that again, glimpses of what it looks like when we’re connected and we just got the job done.”
Harden is averaging 16.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists with the Clippers while shooting 51.6% from the field, 38.7% from beyond the arc and 95.8% from the free-throw line.
Russell Westbrook came off the bench for the Clippers against the Rockets. The former MVP requested to come off the bench to help the Clippers’ first unit establish some continuity.
“He wanted to do that, which [is] an ultimate sacrifice for a guy of his caliber,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said. “For things he’s done in this league, the things he’s done for this team. So shout out to Russ for wanting to do that. It’s a huge part of what we’ve talked about, just sacrificing wanting to win at a high level.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The Clippers will look to win their second game in a row on November 20 against the San Antonio Spurs.
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