Leonard, Clippers hold off Doncic, Mavs snap 6-game skid
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 33 points, Norman Powell added 27 and the Los Angeles Clippers snapped a six-game losing streak Tuesday night with a 113-101 win over the Dallas Mavericks despite Luka Doncic’s 43 points. .
It’s the fourth time in the last five games that Leonard has scored at least 24 points. He got off to a quick start with 11 in the first quarter as the Clippers led throughout.
Doncic, who sat out Sunday against Oklahoma City because of a sore left ankle, missed four of his first five shots and had 12 points on 3-of-9 shooting in the first half before getting hot.
The NBA’s leading scorer scored 20 points in the fourth quarter and put the Mavericks up 104-96 on a 3-pointer with 2:50 left, but Leonard answered with a 3 of his own to get the lead back to double digits .
Doncic answered with another jumper from beyond the arc before Leonard was fouled on a 3-point attempt from the corner. Leonard hit all three free throws to make it 110-99 with 1:40 left.
The Clippers held a 35-33 lead in the second quarter before going on a 27-9 run over a seven-minute stretch as Powell led the way with 11 points.
Los Angeles went into halftime with its biggest lead of the game at 69-47.
MOMENT OF FEAR
Midway through the third quarter, Doncic was hit while chasing a loose ball, lost his balance and somersaulted over the front row of courtside seats before landing on his shoulder. He quickly returned to court.
ADVICES
Mavericks: Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 16 points and Spencer Dinwiddie added 13. … Dwight Powell bruised his right hip in the first half and did not return.
Clippers: Terance Mann added 12 points. … Leonard tied a season high in rebounds with nine. …Marcus Morris Mr. scored 10 of his 12 points in the first quarter. … Ivica Zubac (eight points) ended up playing just 15 minutes after picking up his third foul with 7:23 left in the first quarter.
UNTIL THE NEXT
Mavericks: Stay in Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Thursday.
Clippers: Host the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
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