Clippers extend win streak to 4 with 138-100 rout of Spurs

LOS ANGELES(AP) — If anyone needed any proof of how confident Paul George andthe Los Angeles Clippers are feeling, it came late in the secondquarter of their game against the San Antonio Spurs.

George stolethe ball from Zach Collins after a bad pass by Stanley Johnson,dribbled down the court and threw down a windmill dunk to give theClippers a 20-point advantage.

The dunk waspart of a 35-point night by George as the Clippers extended theirwinning streak to a season-high four games with a 138-100 rout onThursday night.

“My body hasbeen feeling pretty good, and I have been working a ton to stayhealthy and keep it that way,” said George, who is averaging 22.4points after he missed five games earlier this month due to righthamstring soreness. “Everything is kind of falling into place atthis point. We’re healthy and starting to figure out ourrotations.”

It was thefifth time this season George has had at least 35 points. He was 14of 19 from the field, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc as theClippers posted their largest winning margin since 2021. It was the11th time since 2013 they have won a game by at least 38points.

Kawhi Leonardadded 27 points and was 10 of 16 from the field.

“We just haveto continue to keep building. We’re trending upwards, but we stillgot a long ways to go, but I like where we’re at right now.,”Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.

KeldonJohnson scored 19 points for San Antonio, while Isaiah Roby had 14and Keita Bates-Diop 13. The Spurs have dropped nine of their last10 and 12 of their 14.

“We playedhard. Got our butts kicked. Hopefully learned some things. Go homeand start up again,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whosepostgame remarks went just 15 seconds.

It was thefifth time this season San Antonio has lost a game by 35 or morepoints.

The Clippershave won seven of their past nine against the Spurs and swept thefour-game season series for the first time since 1996-97.

Los Angeles,which shot 58.4% from the field and made 18 3-pointers, led theentire game. It had a double-digit lead for the final 38 minutesand was up 41-25 at the end of the first quarter.

“When they’rehitting shots like they were tonight and active on defense, that’swhat makes them special,” said Bates-Diop about George andLeonard.

ROADWOES

San Antoniolost for the 18th time in 23 road games and has dropped 10 straightaway from home. It is the fifth time in franchise history the Spurshave dropped at least 10 straight road games in a season. Theirin-season longest road losing streak is 12 set during the 1985-86season.

The Spurs’overall away losing mark is 22 games, which started in the 1988-89season and extended to the following campaign.

TIP-INS

Spurs: Fellto 1-8 in the second game of a back-to-back. ... Rookie JeremySochan did not play after sustaining a quad injury during thefourth quarter Wednesday.

Clippers:Luke Kennard returned to the lineup and had five points in 17minutes. Kennard has missed 20 games this season due to a rightcalf injury. ... Marcus Morris Sr. did not play due to a ribcontusion. ... Norman Powell had 15 points off the bench and RobertCovington added 13. ... Leonard made two 3-pointers to reach 900for his career.