Clippers match Wizards’ resolve, ride depth to win – Daily News
February 24, 2021
12:33 PM
The Clippers’ Reggie Jackson drives to the basket during the first half of Tuesday’s game against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center. Jakcson had 17 points in the 135-116 win as the Clipper reserves outscored the Wizards’ subs, 58-29. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Clippers’ Patrick Beverley passes through the Wizards defense during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards passes against the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards passes against the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards drives to he basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Raul Neto #19 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Tyronn Lue looks on with Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers reacts against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards looks toward the video board during a video review of a play against the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 standing next to Head Coach Scott Brooks of the Washington Wizards has a technical foul fouled called on him in the first half of a NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 standing next to Head Coach Scott Brooks of the Washington Wizards has a technical foul fouled called on him in the first half of a NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards walks back to the bench after having a technical foul called on him in the first half of a NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers passes against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers passes against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards drives tot he basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards drives tot he basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 high fives teammate Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers after a time out against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers passes against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket past Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LA Clippers player on the bench reacts after a 3-pointer against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard shoots over the Wizards’ Robin Lopez during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard shoots over the Wizards’ Robin Lopez during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. Leonard hade a game-high 32 points in a 135-116 win. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard shoots over the Wizards’ Robin Lopez during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Scott Brooks of the Washington Wizards reacts against the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers passes against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers passes against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Robin Lopez #15 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers shoots a three point shot against the Washington Wizardsvin the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Moritz Wagner #21 of the Washington Wizards in the second half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards fouls Serge Ibaka #9 of the LA Clippers in the second half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers slam dunks over Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers slam dunks over Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers slam dunks over Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers reacts against the Washington Wizards in the second half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers passes against Deni Avdija #9 of the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers controls the ball against the Washington Wizards in the second half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers slam dunks past Robin Lopez #15 of the Washington Wizards in the second half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers fights for the ball against Moritz Wagner #21 of the Washington Wizards in the second half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards reacts from the bench as Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers controls the ball in the second half of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LA Clippers bench reacts after scoring against the Washington Wizards late in the fourth quarter of a NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. LA Clippers won 135-116. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — The Washington Wizards’ resolve is plenty apparent. The Clippers’, it turns out, is sturdy, too.
A woeful 3-12 not so long ago, the Wizards came into Tuesday’s game having won five consecutive games and pulled within six games of .500.
For their latest victory Monday, they’d rallied from a 17-point third-quarter deficit at Staples Center against the Lakers.
Returning to the scene of the comeback on Tuesday night, the Wizards tried to conjure similar magic against the Clippers, chopping their 24-point second-quarter advantage to five points entering the fourth quarter.
L.A. – so hot in the first half, when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined to shoot 16 for 22 for 41 points between them – cooled after the break.
The Clippers shot a respectable 10 for 22 in the third period, but Washington went 15 for 20 – with Moe Wagner leading the charge: The former Laker went 5 for 7 for 13 of his team’s 39 points in the frame.
But, as the Clippers’ All-Stars set the tone to start, their young teammates helped bring home the win.
Ivica Zubac – the Clippers’ 23-year-old recent center – sent a surge through Staples Center with a grown-man, serious slam dunk that extended what had been a withering lead to 113-102 with 7:52 to play.
Sandwiched around that play were an array of grown-Mann highlights.
Terance Mann, shirt untucked, launched the Clippers on a trajectory to victory, scoring his side’s first seven points in the fourth quarter.
The 24-year-old former Florida State standout also fought on defense and for rebounds and flung a pass to an open Reggie Jackson for a 3-pointer that pushed the margin back to 116-102. He fouled out with 1:03 left, having contributed 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal in 20 effort-filled minutes.
That helped energize and elevate the hosts when they needed the boost most, as the Clippers closed out a challenging homestand 4-2.
Leonard led L.A. with 32 points on 13-for-20 shooting, and on the day he learned he was an All-Star for the seventh time, Paul George had 30 points – 25 coming in the opening half.
Zubac finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. Reggie Jackson had 17 points and Marcus Morris Sr. added 11.
For Washington, Bradley Beal, the NBA’s leading scorer, entered Tuesday’s game averaging 32.9 points per game. He finished with 28 (and 10 assists) on 12-of-24 shooting.
Wagner finished with 21 points, Russell Westbrook added 20 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds and Raul Neto had 11 points.
The Clippers (23-10) initially took control with a 26-6 run across the first and second quarters, in which the Clippers scored 36 points apiece. Not much went Washington’s way early, in the second quarter alone the Wizards were assessed three technical fouls – two defensive three-second calls and another on Westbrook.
And though L.A. had a 17-point advantage at halftime, the Wizards (11-18) used a 16-4 run to get as close as five points to start the fourth quarter before the Clippers blew it open, making eight of their 19 3-pointers during a 36-22 final frame.
The Clippers held on without Lou Williams, their professional scorer off the bench. Lue said Williams had the night off, indicating before the game the veteran guard – who scored just five points Sunday and wasn’t on the bench Tuesday – was not hurt.
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