George, Leonard lead Clippers to 113-107 win over Nuggets

Paul George scored 32 points, Kawhi Leonard added 23 along with a big late block and dynamic duo helped Los Angeles Clippers rally in fourth quarter for a 113-107 win over Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of ir Western Conference semifinal series Monday night.

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 rim.

Los Angeles takes a 2-1 lead in best-of-seven series. Game 4 is Wednesday.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers called a timeout to calm down 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. Cilppers wouldn't trail again.

Lou Williams sealed win with a driving layup that extended lead to six with 2:04 left. George turned in a torrid shooting night. He finished 12 of 18 from floor, including five 3-pointers.

Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for Denver despite a sore right wrist that had him questionable before game.

All-Star center had pass of night in third quarter, when he grabbed a rebound, quickly spun around and sent a perfect, full-court strike to Jerami Grant for a dunk.

Jokic proved to be a handful for Clippers with JaMychal Green, Ivica Zubac and Montrezl Harrell picking up early fouls trying to cover him. Zubac fouled out with 4:07 remaining.

Rookie reserve Michael Porter Jr. finished with 18 points for Nuggets, while Murray was held to 14 on 5 of 17 shooting.

Denver was cruising along in second quarter, leading by 12 points with 3:34 left before halftime, before Clippers roared back. y closed half on a 12-2 run to make it 59-57 at break.

TIP-INS

Clippers: Clippers G Patrick Beverley was fined $25,000 by league Monday for verbally abusing a game official in Game 2. ... F Marcus Morris had 12 points.

Nuggets: Denver outscored Clippers by a 58-42 margin in points in paint. ... Grant and Paul Millsap each had 11 points.

UNDERDOG ROLE

Nuggets coach Michael Malone plays up “Us vs. World” motivation card. He felt his team was written off against Utah after falling behind 3-1 in series. He thought many believed Nuggets would get swept after losing Game 1 in lopsided fashion before rebounding to take Game 2.

“ one gives this team a chance to do a lot of things,” Malone said. “We don’t really care what what anybody thinks about us, especially outside of Colorado. It’s belief that we have in locker room. It’s been re since day one.”

MINUTES RESTRICTION

For w, Beverley remains on a minutes restriction as he heals from a strained left calf. He played a little more than 12 minutes in Game 1 and 15 minutes in Game 2. He was on court for more than 20 minutes in Game 3.

“I do think each game, hopefully re will be an uptick,” Rivers said. “It’s better than t having him.”

Im credits: AP