BY: CARLO CABAGNOT – SPORTS ON AIR USA CORRESPONDENT
LOS ANGELES — Paul George dropped 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter to rally the Los Angeles Clippers past the gritty Detroit Pistons, 112-106, Saturday at the Crypto.com Arena.
Trailing by as many as 13 points, the Clippers cut their deficit to 5 entering the fourth quarter before Goerge led a 36-point barrage to avoid the upset against the worst team in the NBA.
Kawhi Leonard flirted with a triple-double with 24 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists while James Harden added another 14 points, 6 rebounds and 8 dimes to push the Clippers to a 35-16 record, second best in the Western Conference.
Russell Westbrook and Amir Coffey combined for 25 points for the Clippers, who shot 45.2 percent from the field (37-of-82) and 33.3 percent from above the arc (13-of-39). The Clippers pulled off the W despite being destroyed on the boards, 57-35.
“It was a great start,” coach Ty Lue said of LA’s 12-2 start before getting cold quick. “It was sluggish after that. In the second half we went small and were able to score better.”
The Pistons didn’t play like a team with an 8-44 record. After a tepid start they put together 51 points in the second and third quarter to put the presure on LA. Jaden Ivey had 23 points and Cade Cunnigham finished with 22 and 10 rebounds to spearhead Detroit’s charge.
Ultimately, though, poor shooting doomed Detroit — 45 of 102 from the field and 9-of-30 from 3.
“Give the Pistons credit. They played well over the past three, four games. This is one of those tough games, play early (2 pm tipoff) against a strong team and get to be ready for them,” George said while giving the Pistons their flowers.
The Pistons were on a two-win game st
