Sep 08, 2020

Clippers rally for 113-107 win and series lead over Denver in NBA Playoffs

Posted Sep 08, 2020 12:59 PM

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Paul George scored 32 points, Kawhi Leonard added 23 along with a big late block and the dynamic duo helped the Los Angeles Clippers rally in the fourth quarter for a 113-107 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Leonard did a little bit of everything as he grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out six assists. He also had two blocks, including one late on a shot by Jamal Murray at the rim.

Los Angeles grabbed a 2-1 lead in the series. Clippers coach Doc Rivers called a timeout to calm down the Clippers with 8:29 left and trailing 97-90. Fueled by defense, Los Angeles went on a 14-4 run to take a 104-101 lead. Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for Denver.

Celtics closing in on eliminating defending champs

— The Boston Celtics are one victory away from knocking off the defending NBA Champions. The Celts own a 3-2 series lead after Jaylen Brown scored 27 points in a 111-89 blowout over the Raptors. Kemba Walker scored 21 for the Celtics, whose starters outscored Toronto’s top five by a whopping 93-45.

The Raptors shot 2-for-15 during its first 15 possessions to fall behind 18-5. A 23-7 Boston run put the Celtics up by 28 late in the first half.

Fred VanVleet scored 18 for Toronto, which trailed by as many as 30. Norman Powell scored 16 for the Raptors, but Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry managed 10 points apiece.