Paul George led the Los Angeles Clippers to an incredible 120-118 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers with 23 points in the fourth quarter.
The 33-year-old American, George, helped his team overcome a 26-point hole by scoring 39 points, pulling down 11 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists. Norman Powell, Terance Mann, and Ivica Zubac each scored 14 points, while James Harden scored 22 points.
George stated,
“It was a collective team win,” “I can’t take credit for none of it without them. It couldn’t have happened without those guys chipping in and doing what they do.”
With seven seconds left, George completed his career by making the game-winning jumper. Shortly before the buzzer, he made an important block to keep the Clippers ahead.
Can Clippers go all the way ?
The Clippers’ prospects of earning the fourth seed in the Western Conference are increased by the win. Elsewhere, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Houston Rockets 147-136 in overtime to continue their late-season onslaught.
The Mavericks overcame a 22-point deficit to win, led by 48 points from Kyrie Irving and 37, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds from Luka Doncic. The Rockets are now guaranteed to miss the post-season play-offs due to their defeat. Jason Kidd said,
“No matter what’s happening, there’s an understanding that we’re playing for one another. Houston gave us their best shot, we took it and found a way to win,”
“That’s the beauty of our locker room – no-one caved, no-one let go of the rope, no-one quit.”
Klay Thompson scored 32 points to help the Golden State Warriors upset the Utah Jazz 118-110. on the other game, the Los Angeles Lakers fell short of the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-117 without LeBron James on the lineup.
Tyrese Maxey scored 52 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a fifth consecutive victory over the San Antonio Spurs in double overtime, while the Miami Heat struggled to a 117-115 loss against the Indiana Pacers.
The New York Knicks defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 122-109, the Boston Celtics defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 124-107, and the Phoenix Suns fell to the New Orleans Pelicans 113-105.