PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) 鈥� Paul George scored 31 points, Kawhi Leonard had 22 and the Los Angeles Clippers swept a two-game set in Portland, beating the Trail Blazers 125-117 on Friday night.
At 44-25, the Clippers have a 1 1/2-game lead over New Orleans for the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not looking at them,鈥� George said about the Pelicans. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more about us. We鈥檝e got to play well and we鈥檙e in the driver鈥檚 seat. So it鈥檚 more about us.鈥�
Scoot Henderson had 24 points and 10 assists for Portland in its fifth straight loss. The Trail Blazers were without starting center Deandre Ayton and lost scoring leader Anfernee Simons midway through the third quarter because of a left knee injury.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups said there was 鈥渘o update鈥� on Simons after the game.
The Clippers shot 42% from 3-point range and were 56% overall. George was 10 of 14 from the field, and Leonard 9 of 15.
鈥淲hen you play a team like that, they鈥檙e going to hit shots,鈥� Henderson said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e just got to deal with it, move onto the next play and you鈥檝e got to match that and try to get a stop again. If they keep hitting shots, it just is what it is. You鈥檝e got to deal with it.鈥�
Los Angeles鈥� largest lead was 26 points, with Leonard and George sitting out the fourth quarter.
鈥淚 just want us to lock in and be healthy,鈥� Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. 鈥淭he West is tough anyway, no matter who we play or where you play. Whether you start at home, start on the road, it鈥檚 going to be tough. So it doesn鈥檛 really bother me or phase me in any way. We鈥檝e just got to be healthy.鈥�
UP NEXT
Clippers: Host Philadelphia on Sunday.
Trail Blazers: Host Denver on Saturday night.
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AP NBA:
Erik Garc铆a Gundersen, The Associated Press
