Clippers close with 22-0 run, overcome 18-point deficit to beat Nets

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 14 of his 21 points in the final five minutes and the Los Angeles Clippers overcame an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Brooklyn Nets 125-114 on Sunday.

The Clippers took their first lead on Leonard’s basket with 2:50 remaining. They closed with a 22-0 run, capped by Leonard’s 3-pointer from the corner, to win for the 10th time in 12 games.

James Harden led the Clippers with 24 points and 10 assists. Russell Westbrook added 23 points off the bench.

Mikal Bridges scored 20 of his 26 points in the first half for Brooklyn. The Nets were coming off an 18-point victory over the Lakers on Friday night.

CELTICS 116, ROCKETS 107

HOUSTON (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis scored 32 points and NBA-leading Boston beat short-handed Houston.

The Celtics improved to 33-10, rebounding from their first home loss of the season Friday night against Denver. Boston is 20-1 at home and 13-9 on the road.

Derrick White added 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Jayson Tatum scored 18 points. Jaylen Brown had 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his third career triple-double. Dillon Brooks led Houston with 25 points.

Houston played without Fred VanVleet (lower back), Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle), Jeff Green (calf), Reggie Bullock (lower back) and Tari Eason (leg). Boston was without Al Horford (rest) and Jrue Holiday (right elbow sprain).

SUNS 117, PACERS 110

PHOENIX (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 40 points, Devin Booker had 26 and Phoenix beat Indiana for its fifth straight victory.

Bradley Beal added 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting. He hit three baskets in the final 2:11 that were crucial in helping Phoenix keep the lead. Booker shot just 9 of 24 from the field, including 1 of 7 from 3-point range, but had a crucial steal with about 25 seconds remaining to seal it.

Indiana has lost four of five. Buddy Hield led the Pacers with 18 points, and Pascal Siakam — acquired this week from Toronto — had 15 points and seven assists. All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton sat out for the sixth time in seven games because of a left hamstring strain.

LAKERS 134, TRAIL BLAZERS 110

LOS ANGELES (AP) — D’Angelo Russell scored 34 points, LeBron James added 28 and Los Angeles routed Portland to get back to .500 at 22-22.

Austin Reaves scored 15 points, and Anthony Davis had 14 points and 14 rebounds to help the Lakers bounce back from an 18-point loss to Brooklyn two nights earlier. Russell and James combined to score the Lakers’ first 19 points of the fourth.

Malcolm Brogdon led Portland with 23 points and nine assists.

NUGGETS 113, WIZARDS 104

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 42 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists and defending champion Denver beat Washington.

Jokic was 15 of 20 from the field and made 12 of 14 free throws. Jamal Murray AND Michael Porter Jr. each had 19 points.

Tyus Jones had 15 points and 13 assists for Washington.

MAGIC 105, HEAT 87

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero scored 20 points and Orlando handed Miami its straight loss,

Wendell Carter Jr. added 17 points and nine rebounds and Franz Wagner, back in the lineup after missing eight games because of a sprained ankle, also had 19 points.

Bam Adebayo led Miami with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba