Clutch Leonard lifts Clippers over Rockets with late three-point play
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HOUSTON — Kawhi Leonard buried a 13-foot turnaround fadeaway and converted the ensuing free throw with two seconds remaining Wednesday night, handing the LA Clippers a 105-102 win over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
Guarded by rookie Amen Thompson and met by Jae’Sean Tate’s help defense, Leonard spun to his left, rose over both defenders and drew a foul on Tate. The three-point play capped a 19-point fourth quarter for the forward and erased what had been a 15-point Houston lead.
Leonard closed with a game-high 27 points, extending his streak of 20-point outings to 33. According to ESPN Research, only three such runs inside a single season have lasted longer in Clippers history, and only four overall.
“Tried to get something going left, saw a double-team, so I spun and just got to a spot and shot over the top,” Leonard said.
The Clippers improved to 20-7 since Dec. 20, the NBA’s best record in that span, and moved to 7-0 in clutch situations during the run. The victory also avenged Tuesday’s loss to Houston in the front end of the back-to-back set.
Fourth-quarter takeover
Leonard entered the final period with eight points on 3-for-10 shooting and four turnovers, the product of constant traps and blitzes. He opened the fourth by sinking his first four attempts and two free throws, then gave Los Angeles its first lead of the half on a finger roll with 9:23 left. His first miss of the quarter did not come until the 6:55 mark, when the Clippers led 89-82.
“Give him the ball and get out of the way,” Clippers guard Kris Dunn said. “Once he gets going, it’s just him and the basket.”
Leonard has scored at least 15 points in a fourth quarter five times this season, trailing only Donovan Mitchell’s eight.
Rockets stumble late
Houston, 16-3 at home to start the season, has dropped four of its last six at Toyota Center. The Rockets committed 21 turnovers that became 23 Clippers points, and Kevin Durant matched his season high with eight giveaways.
“They trapped me heavy up top,” Durant said. “Sometimes I’m not seeing that third guy coming over and getting the steal.”
Durant’s fadeaway jumper with 1:27 left in the second quarter had pushed Houston in front 52-37, but the Rockets never fully recovered after Leonard’s late surge.
Los Angeles heads home with a 35-18 overall record, while Houston falls to 31-23.
Source: ESPN
