Brook Lopez Sinks Nine Three-Pointers to Help Clippers Come Back and Beat Trail Blazers
Clippers Defeat Trail Blazers with 119-103 Win
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Los Angeles Clippers secured a decisive 119-103 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, marking their third consecutive win. Leading the charge, James Harden contributed 34 points, while Brook Lopez added 31 points, including a career-high nine three-pointers.
Kawhi Leonard also had a notable performance, finishing with 28 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, 18 of which came in a crucial fourth quarter. Deni Avdija led the Blazers with 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
The Clippers showcased their dominance in the second half, outscoring the Blazers 63-41, thanks in part to a pivotal 19-1 run during the third quarter. This surge shifted the momentum firmly in favor of the Clippers.
The game started with the Blazers taking an early lead, as Donovan Clingan’s free throw extended Portland’s advantage to 71-59 with 8:16 remaining in the third quarter. However, as both teams struggled to score, the Clippers rallied. Following Lopez’s seventh three-pointer, which brought the score to 72-67, the Blazers’ acting coach, Tiago Splitter, was called for a technical foul, allowing Leonard to narrow the gap further.
Harden’s subsequent points, including a driving layup, tied the game at 72. The Clippers then took their first lead at 75-72 with Lopez’s eighth triple, followed by his ninth to increase their lead to 78-72.
Harden’s crucial four-point play late in the third quarter pushed the score to 85-77, and Leonard intensified the Clippers’ momentum with a powerful dunk, bringing the score to 95-86. Portland attempted to respond, but the Clippers’ six-point possession early in the fourth quarter extended their lead to 101-88.
Earlier in the game, after the Clippers closed the first-half gap to 52-50, the Blazers surged to a 61-50 lead with a 9-0 run, capped by a fast break dunk from Shaedon Sharpe. However, following a timeout, Harden executed a three-point play alongside a three-pointer from Kobe Sanders, cutting Portland’s lead to 62-56 at halftime.
The Clippers will look to continue their winning streak as they prepare to face the Detroit Pistons at Intuit Dome on Sunday night.
