Leonard scores a career-high 55 points! Clippers secure 4th consecutive win, toppling Eastern Conference leaders, Harden with 28+7

On December 29th Beijing time, the Clippers beat the Eastern Conference top-ranked Pistons 112-99 at home, achieving their fourth consecutive win. Leonard posted 55 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 blocks, hitting 17 of 26 shots, 5 of 10 from beyond the arc, and 16 of 17 free throws. His 55 points marked a career best and matched Harden’s Clippers franchise scoring record. With a missed free throw, Leonard’s streak of consecutive free throws made stopped at 64, also a team record. Harden contributed 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Clippers led by as many as 26 points; although the Pistons narrowed the gap in the final quarter, the Clippers ultimately secured the win.

Statistics

Pistons: Cunningham 27 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists; Duren 18 points, 14 rebounds; Ivey 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists; Stewart 8 points, 3 rebounds; Green 7 points, 3 rebounds; Harris 6 points, 3 steals; Dunleavy 5 points, 4 rebounds; Thompson 6 points, 6 rebounds

Clippers: Leonard 55 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 blocks; Harden 28 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists; Batum 12 points, 4 rebounds; Lopez 7 points, 7 rebounds; Dunn 5 points, 3 assists; Jones 3 points, 3 rebounds

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Leonard scored on a mid-range shot, Harris scored 4 consecutive points, Leonard hit a three-pointer, and Harden made 5 straight free throws. Leonard completed a three-point play, Harden nailed a three, and the Clippers started with a 16-6 run. Duren scored 8 straight points for the Pistons, but the Clippers’ balanced offense, with Harden, Batum, Jones, and Niederhauser all scoring, extended the lead to 19. Stewart scored 4 straight points and LeVert made a layup, closing the gap by 6-0. The quarter ended with the Clippers leading 33-20.

In the second quarter, Hollins scored a layup and Lopez made a putback. Stewart dunked, bringing the Pistons’ deficit to single digits. Batum hit consecutive threes, Harden scored on a drive, and Leonard caught fire, scoring 13 straight points as the Clippers led by 20. Thompson made two free throws, and the half ended with the Clippers ahead 60-42. At halftime, Duren was the only Piston in double figures with 16 points and 7 rebounds. The Clippers had three players in double digits: Leonard with 25 points, Harden with 14 points and 4 assists, and Batum with 12 points. There was a stark contrast in three-point shooting: the Clippers made 7 of 13, while the Pistons missed all 12 attempts.

After the break, Leonard scored on a mid-range jumper and followed with a three-pointer. Cunningham, scoreless in the first half, erupted with 8 straight points and assisted Duren on an alley-oop. Cunningham added 4 more points as the Pistons went on a 12-0 run, cutting the deficit to 9. Dunn and Dunleavy exchanged three-pointers, Leonard scored on a mid-range shot, made a steal and dunk, then hit another three. Cunningham scored again on a mid-range jumper, Harden hit a three, and Leonard scored 14 more points, reaching 51 points personally. After three quarters, the Clippers led 92-69.

In the final quarter, Harden made all three free throws, Ivey hit a three, Reed completed a three-point play, and Hollins scored a layup, with the Pistons still trailing by 18. Lopez made a three-pointer, Green dunked, Harden scored on a layup, and Cunningham made another mid-range shot. Reed received a technical foul, Green hit a three, and the Clippers subbed Leonard back in. Green kept scoring, Cunningham hit another mid-range jumper, and the Pistons remained 11 points behind. Harden made a three, Leonard sank two free throws, Cunningham completed a three-point play, and Leonard continued his streak of made free throws. Ultimately, the Clippers defeated the Pistons.

Starting Lineups

Pistons: Cunningham, Dunleavy, Thompson, Harris, Duren

Clippers: Harden, Dunn, Batum, Leonard, Lopez