Kawhi Leonard joins elite Clippers’ club in win over Utah Jazz
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SALT LAKE CITY — Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points, James Harden had 16 points and 10 assists, and the Clippers beat the Utah Jazz 111-99 on Tuesday night for their ninth win in 10 games.
Leonard has scored at least 20 points in 25 consecutive games. He joins Bob McAdoo, World B. Free and Blake Griffin as the only players in franchise history with such a streak.
Kris Dunn added 14 points and a season-best five steals for the Clippers (22-24), who have the best record in the NBA since Christmas. They have won 16 of their last 19 games — immediately after going 3-16 in their previous 19.
The Clippers took control during a 10-2 run in the third quarter powered by Dunn’s two steals and layups, along with a three-pointer that made it 73-61. They led by double figures the rest of the way.
Utah’s Lauri Markkanen returned after missing seven games because of illness to score 19 points on five-for-15 shooting.
The date was Dec. 20,,the day everything changed for the Clippers. They have the best scoring differential in the Western Conference over that span.
Ace Bailey had 20 points and Brice Sensabaugh scored 13 but the Jazz (15-32) have dropped seven of their last eight games. It was just the second time in the last 30 games that Utah failed to reach 100 points.
With Leonard on the court, the Clippers are 14-2 in their last 16 games with seven straight wins in that span.
The Jazz were missing their top two playmakers in Jusuf Nurkic (illness), who has had three straight triple-doubles, and Keyonte George (rest), who has averaged 28.8 points in the last five games.
The Jazz scored the first 10 points of the game and led 54-53 at halftime, but the Clippers’ defense tightened up and forced 10 steals and several shot-clock violations.
Utah committed 17 turnovers, which led to 23 points for the Clippers. Although the Clippers play at the league’s slowest pace, they still topped the Jazz in fast-break points 12-8.
