Clippers Easily Defeat James And Cavaliers, 116-102
LOS ANGELES (AP) — DeAndre Jordan had 20 points and 23 rebounds, Tobias Harris scored 23 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-102 on Friday night.
LeBron James had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Clarkson added 21 points for the Cavaliers, whose five-game road winning streak ended.
James shot 11 of 20 from the field, was 3 of 7 from 3-point range and missed both of his free throws.
The Clippers led most of the game, coming out energized at the start and shooting 50 percent in the first quarter while taking an 18-point lead.
Montrezl Harrell also had 20 points for the Clippers, who controlled the boards 52-40. They owned advantages in the paint (58-42) and second-chance points (25-8).
Los Angeles got balanced scoring with six players in double figures, and plenty of help in containing James in the first half when he had just eight points.
Cleveland made a final stand in the fourth, as George Hill's 3-pointer got the Cavs to 110-102 before the Clippers scored the game's final six points.
The Cavs cut a 16-point deficit to 85-77 heading into the fourth. James scored seven of their last 12 points of the third, missing two free throws at the end.
Jordan and James traded monster dunks over the final 3:49 of the third. Jordan began his move at the top of the arc and Hill was helpless to stop him on his own as Jordan thundered through the paint for a one-handed jam.
James was on the left wing, let the shot clock wind down against Jordan, faked him and drove baseline for a tomahawk slam that drew raucous cheers from the many Cavs fans in Staples Center.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: James' 3-pointer at 10:54 of the third quarter extended his double-figure scoring streak to 856 consecutive regular-season games, second only to Michael Jordan (866) in NBA history. ... Larry Nance Jr. has scored in double figures in a career-high six straight games. ... The Cavs wore their grey jerseys that read "The Land" on the front.
Clippers: They split the season series 1-1, having lost 118-113 in OT at Cleveland on Nov. 13 after the Cavs overcame a 15-point deficit. ... Harris has scored 20 or more points in eight of his 14 games as a Clipper. ... G Jawun Evans returned from a sore lower abdominal.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Return to Staples Center on Sunday to play the Lakers.
Clippers: Host Orlando on Saturday in the second game of a back-to-back. The Clippers are 2-8 in the second game.
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