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Clippers tighten their focus, rally to top Bulls

Mar 9, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso (6) knocks the ball away from LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Paul George scored 22 points and James Harden added a triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Clippers turned up their intensity in the third quarter and rallied for a 112-102 victory Saturday afternoon over the visiting Chicago Bulls.

Kawhi Leonard scored 19 points with nine rebounds, Ivica Zubac had 16 points with nine rebounds and Norman Powell added 18 points as the Clippers used a 19-4 run in the third quarter to rally from a 10-point deficit and win for the fourth time in their past five games.

DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points with 10 assists and Nikola Vucevic added 22 points with 11 rebounds for the Bulls in their return to Los Angeles. Both are Southern California alums.

Coby White scored 19 points and Ayo Dosunmu added 13 as Chicago saw its three-game winning streak come to an end while dropping the final game of a four-game Western Conference road trip.

The Bulls took charge early, taking a 29-23 lead after one quarter and holding a 57-46 lead at halftime following Dosunmu’s leaning 3-pointer at the second-quarter buzzer.

Chicago led 67-57 in the third quarter before Los Angeles took charge, taking a 76-71 lead on Harden’s alley-oop pass to Zubac, who threw down a dunk. The Bulls chipped away to take an 85-83 lead into the fourth quarter.

Los Angeles went up 100-95 on a drive to the basket and dunk from Powell with 5:52 remaining and a zig-zag drive to the basket by George put the Clippers up 104-95 with 4:13 left.

Los Angeles took its first double-digit lead at 107-97 on a step-back 3-pointer from Harden with 3:16 left. The Bulls never challenged the rest of the way.

Chicago shot 43.0 percent from the floor while LA hit 50 percent.

The Clippers have another afternoon contest at home Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

–Field Level Media

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