ORLANDO, FLa. – – Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points and knocked down a decisive shot late for the second game straight as the Clippers escape Orlando with 100-97 win over the Magic.
The win gives Los Angeles its fifth win in six games on the road.
Leonard, scored 25 of his 29 points in the second half and put the Clippers ahead with a mid-range jumper with 34 seconds remaining.
The Clippers, hold on to fourth place in the Western Conference with nine games left in the regular season.
“We’re just trying to execute what’s in front of us. There are no excuses,” Leonard said. “I’m not worried about the playoffs right now.”
Paul George chipped in with 12 points, his basket with 5.2 seconds to play put the game away for the Clippers as the Magic’s final 3-point attempts failed.
Ivica Zubac, added 14 points and 10 rebounds in one of his better games in the Clippers last five outings.
“We did a great job building an 11-point lead, playing good basketball, and then we just got comfortable, turning the ball over, careless passes . . . and allowed them to get back in the game,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “But I loved our defense tonight. Overall, a tough, gritty win for us.”
Though Magic’s star Paolo Banchero was able to score 23 points, the Clippers did a good job slowing down all of his supporting cast.
The Clippers are back in action Sunday night when they travel to Charolette to face the struggling Hornets.
