Clippers guard James Harden drives past Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons during the first half on Wednesday night in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, left, and Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara reach for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson brings the ball up against the Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac dunks over Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, right rear, passes the ball past Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers guard James Harden shoots next to Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers guard James Harden and Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, left, reach for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, dribbles the ball nexxt to Portland Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath, left, and forward Kris Murray during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups talks to forward Jabari Walker during the first half of the team’s game against the Clippers in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey, bottom, and Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons dive for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers forward Paul George, left, drives toward Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey, right, shoots in front of Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard shoots from between Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, left, and forward Toumani Camara during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey goes to the basket in front of Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers star Paul George, left, drives as Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson defends during the second half on Wednesday night in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard shoots in front of Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray, right, drives against Clippers guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
By ERIK GARCÍA GUNDERSEN The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — Three future Hall of Famers versus a rebuilding franchise was never likely to be a fair fight.
Paul George scored 27 points, Kawhi Leonard had 24 points and James Harden had 19 points and 14 assists as the Clippers beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 116-103, on Wednesday night.
The victory gave the Clippers a one-game lead over the New Orleans Pelicans in the tight race for the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture.
The Clippers used a 34-point third quarter, which included 17 from Leonard, to put the game out of reach.
After leading 60-50 at halftime, the Clippers took things into overdrive. Portland cut the Clippers’ lead to eight multiple times early in the third quarter before the Clippers pushed the lead to 72-58, forcing a Blazers timeout.
Portland turned the ball over after the timeout on back-to-back possessions, including a 3-point play from Leonard, pushing the lead to 77-58.
“We got really good individuals on the defensive side and we put it together tonight,” George said. “We played good defense, we got stops, we got out and got some easy opportunities.
“Honestly, that’s when we are clicking and at our best – when we don’t have to come against a loaded defense every possession.”
The Blazers committed seven turnovers in the third quarter leading to 13 Clippers points.
“It was a lot of turnovers that led to points. That was the biggest thing. That was kind of all it is,” Murray said of Portland’s third-quarter struggles.
Amir Coffey’s 3-pointer pushed the lead to 84-60, forcing another Portland timeout.
“We had a mindset of let’s get another run,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said of the Clippers’ ability to extend leads. “Even though they called a timeout to stop the run, let’s be professional. I give our guys credit – tonight, they did that.”
The Clippers, whose largest lead was 27, outscored the Trail Blazers 34-20 in the third quarter.
The Clippers jumped out to a 47-35 lead midway through the second quarter. Harden hit back-to-back 3-pointers to force a Blazers timeout with 6:04 left in the half.
Scoot Henderson had 18 points and five assists for Portland and fellow rookie Kris Murray had a season-high 17 points.
The teams meet again Friday night in Portland to complete a two-game set.
