Normal Powell scored a season high 41 points and came up big in overtime while lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a victory 120-116 over Utah Jazz on Thursday evening in Salt Lake City.
Powell made nine of the Clippers 12 OT points when Los Angeles entered the All-Star break on a winning line with three games.
James Harden added 32 points, 10 returns, seven assists, three steals and two blocks in the coming victory. Clippers overcame a 20-point deficit and outscored Utah 22-13 during the fourth quarter.
Jazzrookie Kyle Filipowski got a career high 20 points and took 10 returns. Lauri Markkanen also logged 20 points, John Collins added 17 and Rookie Isaiah Collier contributed 16 points, eight assists and four steals but committed seven sales.
Both teams played for the second night in a row.
Ben Simmons debuted his Clippers, days after Brooklyn Nets bought out his contract and he signed with Los Angeles. He a total of 12 points, seven returns, six assists and three steals in a reserve role.
Powell set up the Clippers 115-110 in overtime by sinking two free throw, but the jazz quickly withdrew within one by a Collier bucket and one steal and sludge by Svi Mykhailiuk.
Powell responded with two baskets, giving Clippers a five -point lead with under a minute to walk.
Los Angeles opened the fourth quarter on a 14-4 run, and Powell’s tip-in gave Clippers a lead of 100-99 with 6:28 to go. Simmons ignited the charge with the first four points.
Harden then pressed the lead to 103-100 with a 3-pointer.
Markkanen got two baskets in a row for a jazz route of 106-105.
Harden tied it with a free throw and recovered with its own missed Foul Shot, which led to Simmons’ Layup.
Collier tied the score at 108-108 by hitting two free throw with 45.3 seconds left.
None of the team could convert on late 3-point attempts and set up the extra session.
The jazz hit 9 of 14 shots beyond the arch during the first quarter to move on 33-26.
Utah built his lead to 50-30 before Harden made seven in a row when the Clippers deleted much of the deficit to enter the degradation 60-54.
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