Clippers continue mastery of Warriors with tight win

Clippers continue mastery of Warriors with tight win

Norman Powell scored 23 points, Ivica Zubac grabbed 17 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors again, holding on for a 102-99 victory on Monday in Inglewood, Calif.Jame

Norman Powell scored 23 points, Ivica Zubac grabbed 17 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors again, holding on for a 102-99 victory on Monday in Inglewood, Calif.

James Harden produced 12 points and 16 assists and Amir Coffey added 15 points as the Clippers earned their fifth consecutive victory over the Warriors. Los Angeles has handed Golden State two of its three losses this season.

Zubac finished with eight points as Los Angeles survived potential game-tying 3-point attempts from Stephen Curry with 12.3 seconds remaining and Gary Payton II with 2.2 seconds left.

The Clippers had 29 assists on 35 made field goals to win the fifth consecutive game at their new arena after losing the first four at home.

Curry scored 26 points and Andrew Wiggins added 22 as the Warriors had their three-game winning streak end. Jonathan Kuminga scored 12 points for Golden State, which has lost a home and a road game against Los Angeles. The Warriors’ only other defeat was against the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers.

Golden State was without leading rebounder Kevon Looney (illness).

The Clippers led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter before the Warriors tied it 72-72 late in the period. Los Angeles was up 85-77 with 8:32 remaining after a three-point play on which Kevin Porter Jr. made the basket and departed after hitting his head on the court.

Coffey sank the ensuing free throw.

The Warriors were within 94-90 after a layup from Curry before a 8-2 run from the Clippers, capped by a 3-pointer from Powell, gave Los Angeles a 102-92 lead with 2:30 remaining. A 7-0 run got Golden State within three points before the Warriors were unable to turn a Payton steal into a game-tying 3-pointer.

The Clippers controlled the first half, even as Powell missed time with left hamstring soreness. The hosts took their first double-digit lead at 20-10 midway through the first quarter and were up 27-22 at the end of the opening period.

Los Angeles pushed its advantage to as much as 15 in the second quarter and led 56-45 at halftime.