TITLE: Leonard’s 55-point eruption propels Clippers past Pistons for season-high fourth straight win
SLUG: leonard-55-clippers-beat-pistons-fourth-straight
CONTENT:
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Kawhi Leonard delivered a career-best 55 points, and the LA Clippers rolled to a 112-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night, stretching their winning streak to a season-high four games.
Leonard, 34, shot 17-for-26 from the field, drained 5 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc and converted 16 of 17 free throws. His lone miss at the stripe snapped a run of 64 consecutive makes this month. The forward piled up 26 points in the third quarter alone, helping Los Angeles re-establish a 20-point cushion after Detroit had twice trimmed the deficit to single digits.
James Harden supported the outburst with 28 points, while Nicolas Batum added 12. Leonard also grabbed 11 rebounds and recorded five steals. Operating without injured center Ivica Zubac for the third straight game, the Clippers (now winners of four in a row after dropping 10 of their previous 11) started five players in their 30s. Harden, Batum and Brook Lopez are each 36 or older; Kris Dunn is 31.
Cade Cunningham, limited by early foul trouble, was held scoreless in the first half but finished with 27 points for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons. Jalen Duren posted 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Jaden Ivey had 11. Detroit has lost consecutive games for only the second time this season.
Los Angeles took command immediately, moving ahead 16-6 on a Harden three-pointer less than four minutes in. Leonard had 25 points by halftime as the Clippers’ lead grew to 20. After intermission, Detroit closed to within nine twice before Leonard keyed a 16-5 surge, capping it with a three that pushed the margin to 81-61.
By reaching 55 points, Leonard became the second player in franchise history to top 40 in back-to-back home contests, joining Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo.
Source: ESPN
