Kawhi Leonard Drops 33 as Clippers Defeat Cavaliers 132-119
The Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to four games with a 132-119 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Kawhi Leonard led the charge with 33 points, while Ivica Zubac dominated inside with 28 points and 20 rebounds. James Harden contributed 22 points and nine assists as the Clippers overcame an early deficit to hand the East-leading Cavs their second straight loss.
Cavs Falter Despite Strong Start
Cleveland, which had its 16-game winning streak snapped on Sunday against Orlando, got a season-high 24 points from Max Strus. Donovan Mitchell added 18 points and 11 assists, while Evan Mobley returned from a one-game absence to score 17 points. The Cavs started hot, putting up 45 points in the first quarter and building a 12-point lead, but they couldn’t maintain their momentum. Their NBA-best road record dropped to 26-7.
Takeaways
- Cavaliers: Despite their first back-to-back losses since late January, Cleveland still holds a comfortable lead in the Eastern Conference with less than a month remaining in the regular season.
- Clippers: Playing without head coach Tyronn Lue, who missed his fourth game recently due to injury, the Clippers rallied from a 12-point deficit and delivered one of their most impressive wins of the season. Their resilience will be crucial as they fight to secure a playoff spot.
Key Moment
The Clippers turned the game around with a 20-3 run spanning the end of the third and the start of the fourth quarter. After a tight back-and-forth battle, the surge gave them a 12-point lead in the final frame. Bogdan Bogdanovic played a crucial role in the run, scoring seven points and finishing the night with 20 points off the bench.
Key Stat
The Clippers dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Cavs 49-29, while Cleveland struggled from the free-throw line (17-of-26).
What’s Next
- The Cavaliers continue their West Coast trip, visiting Sacramento on Wednesday in the second game of a back-to-back.
- The Clippers will look to keep rolling as they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.