James Harden delivered a dominant all-around performance, finishing with 31 points and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Clippers rallied past the Toronto Raptors 121-117 in overtime Friday night, extending their winning streak to five games.
Harden erased a late deficit almost by himself, scoring eight straight points in the closing minutes of regulation to force overtime after Toronto led by eight with just over three minutes left. He then opened the extra period by calmly sinking four consecutive free throws to set the tone.
Jordan Miller chipped in 19 points, Ivica Zubac recorded a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double, and Cam Christie and Kris Dunn added 16 and 15 points, respectively. The Clippers have now won 12 of their last 14 games after beginning the season 6-21.
Toronto was led by Scottie Barnes, who scored 24 points, while Brandon Ingram added 19. Despite holding a 109-101 lead late in regulation, the Raptors went cold down the stretch, missing six straight shots and losing only for the second time in 21 games after leading after three quarters.
Harden shot 10-for-27 from the field and struggled from long range (2-for-15), but he made up for it by going 9-for-10 at the free-throw line. In overtime, he answered Barnes’ basket with a pull-up jumper to preserve the Clippers’ slim lead.
Jamal Shead posted 15 points and a career-best 13 assists for Toronto. Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick each scored 15, while Sandro Mamukelashvili finished with 13.
The Clippers played without Kawhi Leonard, who missed his only regular-season trip to Toronto due to a sprained right ankle. Leonard famously led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA title. Toronto, meanwhile, was short-handed with Immanuel Quickley (back spasms) out for a second straight game and RJ Barrett (left ankle) sidelined for the fourth in a row.
Up next
-
Clippers: Visit Washington on Monday.
-
Raptors: Begin a five-game Western road trip Sunday at the Los Angeles Lakers.
