Clippers survive James Harden, topple Nets / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports Credit Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Justise Winslow hit the go-ahead basket with 63 seconds left as the Los Angeles Clippers rallied down the stretch, survived another triple-double by James Harden and earned a 120-116 victory over the host Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Eric Bledsoe Points 27 Accuracy 8-12 Rebounds 3 Assists 4

The Clippers rallied from a 13-point deficit by outscoring Brooklyn 28-11 in the final 5:57. They tied the game twice before taking a 114-113 lead on Winslow's cutting layup through traffic that followed a missed 3-point try by Harden.

After Brooklyn's James Johnson missed a 3-pointer with 42.9 seconds left, Terance Mann hit a corner 3-pointer to make it 117-113 with 23.5 seconds left. The Clippers held a 118-116 lead after Kevin Durant split at the line with 8.2 seconds left, and two free throws by Reggie Jackson with 6.1 seconds to play secured the win.

Eric Bledsoe scored 10 of his season-high 27 points in the fourth quarter as the Clippers won for just the third time in nine games. Jackson and Mann added 19 while Amir Coffey chipped in 14 as Los Angeles shot 48.8 percent overall and made 12 of 14 free throws in the final 12 minutes.

Harden became the first player in franchise history with consecutive triple-doubles of at least 30 points. Harden finished with 34 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds for his third triple-double in four games since returning from health and safety protocol.

Harden started 2-of-10 in the first half but heated up in the third. Harden scored 16 points when the Nets led by as many as 11 and headed into the fourth quarter with an 87-80 lead. He surpassed 30 points for the fourth straight game with a layup that made it 103-92 with 6:25 remaining.

Durant added 28 points and nine rebounds as the Nets lost their third straight home game. Patty Mills contributed 17 points while Nic Claxton collected 13 and 10 rebounds as Brooklyn shot 43.3 percent.

The Nets overcame a 10-point deficit and held a 30-29 lead after the first quarter after Claxton dunked with 10.2 seconds left. Brooklyn then held a 53-49 lead at halftime after Durant hit an eight-footer in the lane with 2.5 seconds left.

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