James Harden leads Kawhi-less Clippers past Raptors in OT
TORONTO — Even without Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers are on a roll.
James Harden had 31 points and 10 assists, Jordan Miller added 19 points and six assists and the Kawhi-less Clippers extended their winning streak to five games by beating the Toronto Raptors, 121-117 in overtime, on Friday night.
Ivica Zubac had 16 points and 14 rebounds, Cam Christie scored 16 points and Kris Dunn had 15 as the Clippers won for the 12th time in 14 games since starting the season 6-21.
Leonard missed his team’s lone regular-season visit to Toronto because of a sprained right ankle. Leonard, who has been averaging more than 30 points per game during the Clippers’ turnaround, won the 2019 NBA championship with the Raptors.
Toronto led 109-101 with 3:35 remaining in regulation, but missed six straight shots as Harden forced overtime with a personal 8-0 run. Harden made four straight free throws to begin OT.
Harden shot 10 for 27 from the field and finished 2 for 15 from 3-point range, but he went 9 for 10 at the free-throw line to lead the Clippers’ 26-for-30 effort at the foul line.
Toronto’s Scottie Barnes scored with 55 seconds left in the extra session to make it a one-point game before Harden answered with a pull-up jumper. The Clippers finished the game on a 20-8 surge.
Barnes scored 24 points and Brandon Ingram had 19 to lead the Raptors, who lost for just the second time in 21 games when leading after three quarters. Toronto’s Jamal Shead had 15 points and a career-high 13 assists. Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick each scored 15 points and Sandro Mamukelashvili had 13.
Zubac returned after sitting out Wednesday’s home win over Washington because of a sprained left ankle.
Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley (back spasms) missed his second straight game, while RJ Barrett (left ankle) missed his fourth straight.
The Clippers are 7-14 on the road. They’ve won four of their past five away from home.
More to come on this story.
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The Clippers play at Washington on Monday at noon PT.