Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, right, strips Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, left, of ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
Ivica Zubac finished with 18 points and 20 rebounds, Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard each added 21 points, and the Los Angeles Clippers delivered one of their best defensive performances of the season en route to a 96-87 road win over the Orlando Magic on Monday.
The 87 points were the second-fewest the Clippers (43-32) allowed this season. Holding the Magic to just 30-of-76 shooting (39.5 percent) from the floor, including 7-of-26 accuracy (26.9 percent) from 3-point range, Los Angeles overcame its own offensive struggles.
The Clippers shot 8-of-31 (25.8 percent) from 3-point range and committed 16 turnovers, which Orlando converted into 19 points.
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One last KAWHILIGHT to seal the W 👀🖐️ pic.twitter.com/9MBFymXK2u
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 1, 2025
But with Los Angeles dominating the glass 47-32 behind Zubac’s effort, and a 7-0 run midway through the fourth quarter that opened up a 10-point lead, the Clippers rebounded from their loss on Sunday in Cleveland.
Los Angeles finished its four-game Eastern Conference road swing 3-1. The Clippers are heading into five straight at home as they continue their push for a Western Conference playoff bid.
James Harden capped the pivotal mini-run with a layup, two of his final three points on the way to 20. He also grabbed seven steals. The quartet of Harden, Zubac, Powell and Leonard accounted for all but 16 of Los Angeles’ points.
Zubac made his first six field-goal attempts and had a double-double with about four minutes still remaining in the first half. He finished 7-of-10 shooting from the floor.
READ: NBA: Hot shooting in 3rd quarter lifts Clippers past Knicks
Paolo Banchero led all scorers with 26 points despite shooting just 1-for-8 from 3-point range. A chunk of Banchero’s work came at the foul line, where he went 9-for-9.
Franz Wagner added 21 points for the Magic (36-40).
Monday marked Orlando’s ninth game scoring fewer than 90 points this season. The Magic had their fifth-highest-scoring effort of the season in a 121-91 blowout of Sacramento on Saturday.
Orlando is jockeying with Atlanta for the top spot in the East’s play-in. Los Angeles is one of five Western Conference teams vying for home-court advantage in the playoffs — and to avoid the play-in.
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