Paul George scored 31 points on 10-of-14 shooting in three quarters of action as the Los Angeles Clippers notched a 125–117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, March 22, to sweep a back-to-back set and complete a four-game season sweep.
Kawhi Leonard added 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting in three periods for the Clippers, who defeated Portland for the ninth consecutive time.
Terance Mann scored 20 points and James Harden had 15 points and 10 assists for Los Angeles (44–25), which holds the fourth position in the Western Conference by 1 1/2 games over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Scoot Henderson registered 24 points and 10 assists and fellow rookie Kris Murray scored a career-best 21 points for the Trail Blazers (19–51), who have lost five straight contests and nine of their past 11.
Dalano Banton scored 17 points, Jabari Walker added 14 points and eight rebounds and Duop Reath scored 13 points for Portland. Toumani Camara added 11 points.
Portland’s Anfernee Simons had just three points of 1-of-6 shooting before exiting midway through the third quarter with a knee injury.
Deandre Ayton (elbow) sat out for the Trail Blazers, and Jerami Grant (hamstring) was sidelined for the eighth time in the past nine games.
Los Angeles shot 56.4 percent from the field, including 14 of 33 (42.4 percent) from 3-point range.
The Trail Blazers made 48.4 percent of their attempts and were 12 of 33 (36.4 percent) from behind the arc.
The Clippers held a 17-point halftime lead and increased it to 90–65 on two free throws by George with 6:22 left in the third quarter.
George had 11 points in the period to help Los Angeles lead 101–80 entering the fourth quarter.
The Clippers led by more than 20 with less than five minutes later before the Trail Blazers cut into the margin down the stretch.
George scored 20 points and Leonard added 13 as the Clippers held a 70–53 lead at the break. Henderson had 10 in the half for Portland.
Los Angeles shot 71.4 percent (15 of 21) in the opening quarter while taking a 42–27 advantage. Leonard had all 13 of his first-half points in the first period.
The Clippers shot 62.2 percent in the half while Portland checked in at 46.7 percent.
