James Harden, Clippers stay hot with wire-to-wire win at Nets
James Harden scored 31 points and the Los Angeles Clippers started quickly in a wire-to-wire 121-105 victory over the Brooklyn Nets Friday night in New York.
Harden scored 22 in Los Angeles' dominant first half and finished with his ninth 30-point game this season. He made 10 of 13 shots and handed out six assists, as the Clippers finished with 28 assists and won for the eighth time in 10 games.
Kawhi Leonard added 26 on 9-of-15 shooting for his 19th straight game with at least 20 points. Leonard scored 11 straight Los Angeles points with Harden on the bench to finish it off, including a crafty reverse layup as part of a 3-point play for a 106-84 lead with 6:41 left.
Jordan Miller added 21 and John Collins contributed 16 as the Clippers tied a season high by shooting 59.2% (45 of 76) while taking 24 fewer shots than Brooklyn.
After erasing an 18-point deficit but ultimately losing to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, the Nets lost for the fifth time in six games. Four of those losses have been by double digits.
Brooklyn missed its first eight shots Friday and shot 40%.
Rookie Egor Demin led the Nets with 19 points and hit five 3-pointers, but Michael Porter Jr. struggled with 18 points on 7-of-20 shooting (0-of-9 from 3-point range).
Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas added 13 apiece as Brooklyn was unable to capitalize on getting 19 offensive rebounds.
Harden scored 15 points and nearly hit a deep 3 at the horn as the Clippers shot 68.4% and led 35-25 through the opening quarter after getting off to a 16-2 start.
The Clippers took their first 20-point lead when Brook Lopez converted a 3-point play with 9:41 left and held a pair of 22-point leads before taking a 63-47 lead at halftime
After the Nets inched within 67-58 following a basket by Claxton with 8:16 left, the Clippers took a 15-point lead into the fourth.
Brooklyn cut the lead to 95-82 on a 3 by rookie Nolan Traore with 9:53 left before Leonard took over.