LOS ANGELES—Paul George scored 34 points, hitting 12 of 13 free throws, and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 106-92 on Tuesday night.
Reggie Jackson overcame a poor start and finished with 21 points to help the Clippers bounce back after their seven-game winning streak ended on Sunday.
“We needed every bit of it,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “He was huge for us.”
Dejounte Murray narrowly missed his second triple-double since Sunday, leading the Spurs with 26 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.
Derrick White added 19 points and Drew Eubanks had 10 rebounds in the Spurs’ third straight loss.
“We still have to figure some things out, but still too much mishaps that are costing us in these games,” White said. “Just try to shore those up and execute a little bit better and try to figure out how to win some games.”
Rookie Brandon Boston Jr. scored the Clippers’ first six points of the fourth before Eric Bledsoe’s steal and layup pushed their lead to 18 points.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, so the defense doesn’t know what I’m going to do,” Boston said.
The young Spurs kept at it and cut their deficit to 91-82.
Jackson hit consecutive 3-pointers and George scored for a 99-82 lead.
Doug McDermott and Keldon Johnson made back-to-back 3-pointers that again drew the Spurs within nine. Boston scored the Clippers’ final five points and finished with 13 to close out the game, playing 20 minutes with other players out.
“I love the kid,” George said. “He gives us energy and we need that.”
Boston is known for standing the entire game when he’s mostly on the bench.
“I’m the youngest so I got to bring energy to these guys,” he said.
Gregg Popovich is coaching his youngest roster since coming to San Antonio in 1996. The team’s average age is 24.5 years.
“The effort is there. They ae growing, doing little things better all the time,” he said. “Frustrating to lose, but when a team is working that hard and willing to learn it’s enjoyable as hell even in a loss.”
White’s basket early in the third gave the Spurs their first lead since the opening quarter. The teams traded baskets before Thaddeus Young scored to tie it at 69-all.
From there, the Clippers outscored the Spurs 14-2 to go into the fourth leading 83-71. After struggling in the first half, Jackson exploded for a quick seven points, a blocked shot and fed Isaiah Hartenstein for a one-handed jam.
Tip-Ins
Spurs: Dropped to 2-6 on the road. ... Jock Landale remains in the league’s health and safety protocols. ... Jakob Poeltl could return Thursday. He’s getting his fitness back after being in the health and safety protocols.The Rook
Boston is one of six players featured in “Klutch Academy,” a five-part series debuting Nov. 23 on BET.It follows the players as college prospects preparing for their pro careers leading up to the NBA draft. Agent Rich Paul executive produced the series as part of a partnership with Klutch Sports Group and BET Studios.
Up Next
Spurs: Visit Minnesota on Thursday to finish a three-game trip.Clippers: Visit Memphis on Thursday to open a two-game trip.
