Clippers rally past Wizards again for victory

Reggie Jackson and the Los Angeles Clippers did not want the second-biggest comeback in NBA historical past to beat the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night time.

Only a tidy 11-0 run to shut issues out.

Jackson scored 31 factors and assisted on Nicolas Batum’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 31.2 seconds remaining because the Clippers scored the ultimate 11 factors in a 115-109 victory over the Wizards.

“We stayed resilient and saved our cool,” mentioned Jackson, who was 12 of 21 from the sphere and in addition had seven assists in 39 minutes. “We performed by means of lacking a number of pictures and located a strategy to get some stops.”

Los Angeles held Washington scoreless during the last 2:37, and Jackson’s two free throws with 12.3 seconds left to place the Clippers up by 4.

The Wizards have blown results in lose each of their conferences towards Los Angeles this yr, though this gap wasn’t as deep because the earlier assembly. The Clippers rallied from a 35-point, first-half deficit to defeat the Wizards 116-115 on Jan. 25, the second-best comeback in league historical past.

Jackson reached 30 factors for the third time this season, together with twice previously 4 video games. The ten-year veteran guard has emerged because the Clippers’ chief with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard sidelined many of the season with accidents.

“He loves these moments down the stretch, whether or not it’s taking the massive shot or making that nook go to Nico for the three,” coach Tyronn Lue mentioned. “He’s been large for us. He can get worn down, however we’re making an attempt to do one thing particular and keep afloat. This was a type of video games the place we wanted 39 minutes from him.”

Marcus Morris Sr. added 27 factors and Luke Kennard 19 for the Clippers, who snapped a two-game shedding streak.

Kristaps Porzingis, acquired in a commerce from Dallas final month, had 19 factors in his second sport with the Wizards. Rui Hachimura had 18, and former Lakers gamers Kyle Kuzma (17) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (16) had stable video games of their return to LA.

“We’ve got to do a greater job collectively of what mismatches we try to get and how much look we try to get,” Kuzma mentioned. “That’s one thing we haven’t executed and should determine that out.”

Washington trailed 70-69 halfway by means of the third quarter earlier than occurring a 16-5 run with 1:13 remaining. The Clippers responded by scoring the final eight factors of the quarter, together with back-to-back 3-pointers by Kennard to drag inside 85-83 going into the ultimate 12 minutes.

The Clippers finally took a 100-95 benefit earlier than the Wizards countered with a 14-4 rally, together with eight straight factors to shut the run up 109-104 with 2:37 remaining.

“We have been aggressive early. We scored fairly a bit within the paint, however we stagnated a bit within the second half they usually made performs. It’s a tricky one,” Washington coach Wes Unseld Jr. mentioned.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

The Clippers have gained their final 14 dwelling video games towards the Wizards, the longest dwelling successful streak towards one crew in franchise historical past.

They beforehand beat the Jazz in 13 straight dwelling video games from 1976-81 when the franchise was primarily based in Buffalo and San Diego.

TALE OF TWO GAMES

The Clippers shot a season-low 35.5% from the sphere in Tuesday night time’s 112-97 loss at Golden State, however made 43 of 86 towards the Wizards, together with 16 of 32 from past the arc.

TIP-INS

Wizards: Daniel Gafford (14 factors, 10 rebounds) had his seventh double-double of the season. Raul Neto added 12 factors. … Washington was 10 of 27 past the arc after taking pictures 44.9% the previous 5 video games.

Clippers: Ivica Zubac added 10 factors and 9 rebounds. … Robert Covington missed his second straight sport resulting from private causes.

UP NEXT

Wizards: Stay in Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday.

Clippers: Start a three-game highway journey towards the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.