Kawhi Leonard led the charge with a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds, while James Harden contributed significantly with 21 points, 16 of which came in the latter half, as the Los Angeles Clippers secured a 103-95 victory over the struggling Miami Heat during Sunday’s NBA action.
This win marks their fifth in six games during their 11-day, seven-game road trip, concluding in Atlanta on Monday night. The Clippers have been navigating an extended road stint due to their arena being occupied by the Grammy Awards, but this hasn’t dampened their performance.
“You get those mental blocks at this stage but we’ve been staying afloat,” Leonard said. “Appreciate everybody coming out and playing and staying locked-in. Those are the things that I’m happy about.”
The Clippers’ success isn’t just about staying competitive; they’ve dominated with a 25-5 record since December, the best in the NBA. Harden nearly achieved a triple-double, amassing 11 assists and eight rebounds. Additional support came from Norman Powell with 16 points and Paul George with 11.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue highlighted the team’s ambition and sacrifice to achieve the level of success they’ve managed since the initial period after the Harden trade.
“It’s just having that mindset that we’re going to try to win every game,” Lue said. “I give guys credit. They’ve been doing that. We have a lot of talent. We have a lot of guys willing to sacrifice to do whatever it takes to win, and that’s what we did.”
Jimmy Butler scored 21 points for the Heat, and Terry Rozier added 17, but their efforts weren’t enough to prevent the team’s slide, dropping to 2-8 in their last ten games. Bam Adebayo and Josh Richardson each contributed 14 points for Miami. Adebayo also pulled down 13 rebounds and expressed the need for improved synergy, emphasizing,
“We need to find a rhythm; otherwise, it won’t work,” Adebayo said. “We’ve faced tougher challenges before.”
Miami struggled without key players Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro, who were missing due to concussion protocols and a late-diagnosed migraine, respectively. This absence was felt as Miami scored below 100 points for the 12th time this season, a statistic that has led to a 2-10 record in such games.
The game was notable for its low foul count and halftime score, setting season lows for both teams and the NBA. However, the Clippers turned the tables in the second half with improved shooting, 3-point scoring, and free-throw efficiency, securing their win.
Looking ahead, the Clippers are set to face the Atlanta Hawks, while the Heat will host the Orlando Magic in their upcoming games.
