Clippers beat Blazers to bolster hopes of avoiding play-in

LOS ANGELES(AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points, Norman Powell added 23 andthe Los Angeles Clippers solidified their hopes of avoiding theplay-in game with a 136-125 victory over the Portland Trail Blazerson Saturday.

RussellWestbrook had 20 points for the Clippers, who have won four oftheir last six and hold the fifth spot in the WesternConference.

Wins by LAand Minnesota on Saturday ensured the Clippers can finish no lowerthan seventh. Their best hope of avoiding the play-in game thoughis beating Phoenix on Sunday in what could be a preview of afirst-round series.

While theSuns are expected to sit most of their starters, which they alsodid Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, coach Tyronn Luesaid he will play everyone that he can.

“I hope theysit all five guys. I’ll take it however I can get it,” Lue said.“My main focus is doing what we have to do to get into theplayoffs. It doesn’t matter what seed.”

The Clippersneed a win in the final regular-season game to avoid landing in theplay-in for the second straight season. They were the eighth seedlast season and lost to Minnesota and New Orleans to miss theplayoffs.

“We have towin. That’s the focus,” Leonard said.

The Clipperswould be assured of a top six seed if the Timberwolves beat thePelicans on Sunday afternoon. A win would wrap up the fifth seedwhile a loss and Golden State win would drop them to sixth.

However, ifthe Pelicans win, the Clippers could fall into the seventh spot andhost the play-in game on Tuesday with a loss. The only way theywould avoid it in that scenario is if Portland beat Golden Stateand the Lakers defeated Utah.

“The parityin the West is incredible this year. I’ve seen some tough races,but this may be the toughest I’ve seen. Just all the way down totoday and tomorrow, guys need to win. It’s some tough situations,”Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “I hate that we are notparticipating in it, but there’s been a lot of learning experiencesthis year because of that.”

Kevin Knox IIhad 30 points, Shaedon Sharpe 26 and Trendon Watford 24 for theTrail Blazers, who have dropped three straight and eight of theirlast nine.

“We playedagainst a very desperate team. they are fighting and clawing forevery win and they need it,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said.“Our group came out and got it going. They made some adjustments inthe second half when they needed to.”

Portland led70-64 at halftime before the Clippers went on a 14-2 run early inthe third quarter to gain control.

The TrailBlazers rallied to get within 86-85 on a 3-pointer by Knox beforethe Clippers put it away for good with a 23-7 spurt.

Leonard had13 points in the third quarter as the Clippers were 15 of 24 fromthe field, including eight 3-pointers.

“It wasn’t agreat first half because we didn’t play the right way. That’s whythey came out and played like they did in the third quarter,” Luesaid.

Los Angeles’largest lead was 19 in the fourth quarter.

TIP-INS

TrailBlazers: In the first half, Sharpe had 21 points on 8-for-12shooting; while Watford added 18 while going 7 of 9. ... ShaquilleHarrison had a career-high 11 assists.

Clippers:Ivica Zubac had 14 points and 10 rebounds for his 27thdouble-double, which is new career high in a season.

UPNEXT

TrailBlazers: Host Golden State Sunday in the season finale.

Clippers:Travel to Phoenix Sunday in what could be a first-roundpreview.