The Los Angeles Clippers picked up their latest win by doing something more associated with teams in the NCAA Tournament -- surviving and advancing.
After withstanding a stiff challenge from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, the Clippers attempt to get their fifth straight win Sunday afternoon when they visit the league-worst New York Knicks.
Los Angeles (43-30) is 9-1 in its last 10 games and has won four straight -- though each of the four wins came with some stressful moments.
The streak began with a 128-121 home win over the Chicago Bulls on March 15 when the Clippers overcame a sluggish first half with a 45-point third quarter. The second win was an even a more dramatic affair, when Los Angeles held a 10-point lead with 62 seconds left, gave up 10 straight points and needed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Lou Williams to get a 119-116 win over the Brooklyn Nets last Sunday.
After Williams hit a late shot to clinch a 115-109 win over Indiana on Tuesday, the Clippers began a four-game trip with the 110-108 win in Cleveland. The Clippers were down 15 after one quarter, then gave up most of a 10-point lead in the final 6 1/2 minutes before finally exhaling when Jordan Clarkson's step-back 3-point try hit off the back rim as time expired.
"It was one of those nights where you felt like you did just enough to win the game," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers told reporters afterward. "You're proud of the win, but we know there's a better us in us and hopefully, that will send a message to all of our guys for the rest of the trip." >> Read more
Copyright 2019 by the Associated Press