By ERIK GARCÍA GUNDERSEN The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — Paul George scored 31 points, Kawhi Leonard had 22 and the Clippers swept a two-game set in Portland, beating the Trail Blazers, 125-117, on Friday night.
At 44-25, the Clippers have a 1½-game lead over New Orleans for the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
Scoot Henderson had 24 points and 10 assists for Portland in its fifth straight loss. The Trail Blazers were without starting center Deandre Ayton and lost scoring leader Anfernee Simons midway through the third quarter because of a left knee injury.
The Clippers shot 42% from 3-point range, 57% overall and went 23 for 27 from the free-throw line (85%). George was 10 for 14 from the field, and Leonard was 9 for 15.
The Clippers’ largest lead was 26 points, with Leonard and George sitting out the fourth quarter.
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The Clippers host Philadelphia on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
More to come on this story.