Paul George scored 17 of his 26 points in the first quarter, Kawhi Leonard finished with 28 and the Los Angeles Clippers took control early in a meeting of teams with matching five-game winning streaks, beating the Dallas Mavericks 114-99 on Tuesday night.
The Clippers used several defenders to end Luka Doncic’s franchise-record streak of four games with at least 30 points and 10 assists. George had a career-high six steals as Los Angeles held the Mavericks under 100 points for the first time this season.
The Clippers limited the 20-year-old phenom to 4-of-13 shooting, including 0 for 7 from 3-point range. The Slovenian star made 14 of 16 free throws and finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) advances the ball up court against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)
Patrick Beverley got in foul trouble as one of the defenders assigned to Doncic, but getting his fourth early in the second half just brought back Lou Williams sooner. The high-scoring reserve finished with 21 points, going 4 of 7 on 3-pointers.
NUGGETS 117, WIZARDS 104
Nikola Jokic had 20 rebounds and Jerami Grant scored a season-best 20 points to lead Denver over Washington.
Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) watches play in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Dallas, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)
Jokic finished one rebound shy of his career high and added eight points in Denver's sixth straight win.
Will Barton had 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Nuggets, who are 10-1 in November and ended a three-game home losing streak against the Wizards. Jamal Murray scored 16 and Mason Plumlee 15.
Denver held one of the NBA's most prolific offenses to its second-lowest point total of the season. Washington entered averaging 119.1 points and had failed to score at least 100 just once in 15 games. It needed 35 in the fourth to reach the century mark this time.
Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) handles the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Dallas, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)
Bradley Beal, the Wizards’ leading scorer at 29.6 points per game, was held to 14 on 6-for-15 shooting. He was 2 of 10 from behind the 3-point line.
Jordan McRae had 21 points for Washington.
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