Clippers Lose Second Straight Game In Portland
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Damian Lillard had 27 points, including three key 3-pointers down the stretch, and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 102-91 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
Lillard's 3-pointer with 3 ½ minutes left gave Portland a 90-85 lead. Blake Griffin answered with a basket on the other end, but Lillard nailed another 3 and then pointed to his wrist as if to signal it was his time.
Lillard hit another 3-pointer with 1:46 remaining to put Portland up 100-87 and the Clippers couldn't catch up.
CJ McCollum added 18 points for the Blazers, while Mason Plumlee added 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Griffin led Los Angeles with 21 points. Jamal Crawford made five 3-pointers and finished with 20.
Paul Pierce did not play on the second night of a back-to-back. The Clippers blew a 23-point lead in a 124-117 home loss to the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors the night before.
JJ Redick returned for Los Angeles after missing the last three games with back spasms. He played 26 minutes and had seven points on 3-of-12 shooting.
Griffin left the floor in the first half but returned to the game with 8:04 remaining in the second quarter wearing a sleeve on his left leg.
The Clippers tied it at 70 with 1:39 left in the third quarter and Portland's was 75-73 heading into the final quarter.
Coming out of a Los Angeles timeout, Plumlee split a pair of free throws to put the Blazers on top 87-85 before Lillard's late 3-pointers put away the game.
TIP-INS:
Blazers: Meyers Leonard did not play because of a dislocated shoulder. He's missed four games. ... Ed Davis recorded a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Clippers: The Clippers fell into third place in the Pacific Division, a game behind Phoenix.
UP NEXT:
Clippers: Host Toronto on Sunday.
Trail Blazers: Visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.
