James Harden turned additional time right into a one-man clinic Sunday, dropping 12 of his 39 factors within the further interval to energy the Los Angeles Clippers previous the Golden State Warriors 124-119 – sealing the No. 5 seed within the Western Conference and sending the Warriors tumbling into the play-in event.
Harden, the previous league MVP, stuffed the stat sheet with 10 assists and 7 rebounds, capping off a classic night time that secured the Clippers’ eighth straight win and a 50-32 regular-season end. Kawhi Leonard added 33 factors, seven assists and three steals, whereas Ivica Zubac dominated the glass with 22 factors and 17 rebounds.
The stakes couldn’t have been larger within the ultimate sport of the NBA common season.
A Golden State win would’ve bumped Los Angeles right down to seventh.
Instead, the Warriors (48-34) now face a do-or-die play-in conflict Tuesday in opposition to No. 8 Memphis for a shot on the No. 7 seed and a first-round sequence with the second-seeded Houston Rockets.
“We’re a good team and we’re excited to show the world,” Harden stated courtside to ESPN.
The Clippers will sq. off with the Denver Nuggets – the No. 4 seed – within the opening spherical, as three groups completed with equivalent 50-32 information. The Lakers received the tiebreaker to say the No. 3 spot, giving them home-court benefit for the primary time since 2012.
Stephen Curry tried to will Golden State over the road, scoring 36 factors – together with 18 within the ultimate 7:52 of regulation – however missed alternatives doomed the Warriors in additional time. Down two within the ultimate 30 seconds, Draymond Green missed a vital layup and Buddy Hield misfired on a possible game-tying triple with 5.1 seconds left.
Leonard’s contested 20-footer on the finish of regulation couldn’t drop, sending the sport to OT. But Harden made positive it didn’t slip away. His floater, clutch 3s, and dagger free throws down the stretch shut the door on Golden State.
Jimmy Butler III supported Curry with 30 factors and 9 assists. Brandin Podziemski chipped in 19 factors and 7 boards, whereas Green tallied 14 factors and two blocks.
The Clippers swept the season sequence in opposition to the Warriors and made a robust closing assertion.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards made positive Minnesota averted the play-in minefield by dropping 43 factors in a 116-105 win over Utah, locking within the No. 6 seed for the Timberwolves (49-33). “We want that full week to prepare,” Edwards stated. “I’ve been in both situations.”
Out East, the standings had been set earlier than tipoff. Cleveland claimed No. 1 and Boston No. 2. Orlando and Atlanta will conflict Tuesday for the suitable to face the Celtics, whereas the Knicks and Pistons, and Pacers and Bucks, will battle within the first spherical.
Source: www.dailysabah.com