Ivica Zubac finished with 18 points and 20 returns, Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard each placed 21 points, and the Los Angeles Clippers delivered one of their best defensive performances of the season on the way to a 96-87 road victory over Orlando Magic on Monday.
The 87 points were the second final clippers (43-32) allowed this season. If the magic holds only 30-of-76 shooting (39.5 percent) from the floor, including 7-AV-26 accuracy (26.9 percent) from 3-point intervals, Los Angeles overcame its own offensive struggle.
Clippers shot 8-AV-31 (25.8 percent) from 3-point intervals and committed 16 turnover, which Orlando converted to 19 points.
But with Los Angeles that dominated the glass 47-32 behind Zubac’s effort, and a 7-0 run halfway through the fourth quarter that opened a 10-point lead, the Clippers recovered from their loss on Sunday in Cleveland.
Los Angeles finished its four-match Eastern Conference Road Swing 3-1. Clippers are on their way into five straight at home as they continue their driving force for a Western Conference Playoff Bud.
James Harden covered the decisive mini-driving with one arrangement, two of his last three points on his way to 20. He also took seven steals. The quartet for Harden, Zubac, Powell and Leonard accounted for all but 16 of Los Angeles points.
Zubac made his first six field-goal attempt and had a double double with about four minutes left during the first half. He finished 7-of-10 shooting from the floor.
Paolo Banchero led all scores with 26 points even though they shot only 1-for-8 from 3-point intervals. A piece of Banchero’s work came on Foul Line, where he went 9-for-9.
Franz Wagner added 21 points for magic (36-40).
Monday, Orlando marked the ninth game that scored less than 90 points this season. Magin had its fifth highest scores during the season in a 121-91 blowout by Sacramento on Saturday.
Orlando Jockeyar with Atlanta for the top spot in the East’s Play-in. Los Angeles is one of five Western Conference teams striving for the home court’s advantage in the playoffs and to avoid play-in.
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