A 19-point comeback! Harden wakes up in clutch moments with 4 of 20 shooting, Leonard scores 26, Clippers sweep Pistons

On January 11th Beijing time, in an NBA regular season game, the Clippers defeated the Pistons 98-92 on the road. Despite trailing by as much as 19 points, the Clippers completed a comeback, ending the Pistons’ three-game winning streak.

For the Pistons, Robinson scored 20 points, Hollis added 16 points and rebounds, Jenkins had 10 points, and Smith contributed 9 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks. For the Clippers, Leonard put up 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals; Collins scored 25 points, grabbed 7 boards, and had 5 steals and 4 blocks; Harden posted 19 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals; Zubac added 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

In the first quarter, the Pistons played exceptionally well, starting with a stunning 20-5 run that stunned their opponents. Robinson’s shooting was especially impressive, hitting 3 of 4 from beyond the arc and scoring 15 points on his own. The Clippers could only rely on Zubac’s inside scoring to stay afloat. Meanwhile, role players on the Clippers struggled to contribute; Harden shot 1 for 7 for just 5 points, and Leonard managed only 1 point from free throws, showing a lackluster performance from the duo.

In the second quarter, the Pistons continued their strong play. After Jenkins and Hollis hit three-pointers, the Pistons extended their lead to 38-21, a 17-point advantage. Zubac’s inside scoring signaled the Clippers’ counterattack, and Leonard began to take control of the offense, energizing the team as the Clippers rallied to 39-47. The Pistons responded promptly to stabilize the situation and led 55-41 at halftime. In the first half, Robinson was highly efficient, shooting 7 of 9 including 5 three-pointers, scoring 20 points to help the Pistons build their lead; Leonard was also efficient with 12 points on 3 of 4 shooting, but Harden’s poor 1 of 10 shooting seriously held the Clippers back.

In the third quarter, Harden, Collins, and Leonard all fired from the perimeter, while the inside offense also revived. The Clippers took advantage to close the gap to 59-61. However, the Pistons responded with a 10-3 run, stretching their lead back to 9 points. The Pistons maintained control and ended the quarter ahead 76-68. Harden remained inconsistent, scoring 14 points but shooting only 3 of 17 through three quarters.

In the decisive moments of the game, Zubac caught a pass under the basket and slammed it home, and Harden successfully stole the ball, giving the Clippers a 95-92 lead. Then Harden drew a foul, making 1 of 2 free throws to extend the lead to 4 points, helping the Clippers secure the victory.

Starting Lineups

Clippers: Leonard, Collins, Zubac, Dunn, Harden

Pistons: Green, Ojeleye, Reed, Robinson, Ivey