Clippers score 101-99 NBA win over Thunder

The LA Clippers and Indiana have scored wins in the latest NBA playoff action.

Darren Collison has scored eight of his 18 points in the final minutes as the Los Angeles Clippers came back to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-99 to level the NBA's Western Conference semifinal series 2-2.

In the day's other playoff, Paul George scored a career playoff-high 39 points and added 12 rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers back from a 19-point deficit and past the Washington Wizards 95-92 to move one victory away from returning to the Eastern Conference finals.

Russell Westbrook, who scored 27 points, missed a 3-pointer and Serge Ibaka's tip attempt was too late at the buzzer, allowing the Clippers to salvage the game.

Blake Griffin led Los Angeles with 25 points, making 9 of 11 free throws, and Chris Paul had 23 points and 10 assists. Jamal Crawford added 18 points. DeAndre Jordan had 14 rebounds, helping the Clippers win the boards, 45-43 - the first time in 11 playoff games the Thunder were outrebounded.

Kevin Durant scored 40 points, hitting 15 of 18 free throws, for the Thunder.

Game 5 is Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.

It was the 14th comeback by the Clippers this season after trailing by double digits. They rebounded from 12 points down in the second quarter of Game 7 to oust Golden State in the first round.

The Clippers had no answer for Durant and Westbrook until midway through the fourth quarter. That dynamic duo drove the lane with abandon, drew fouls and made free throws in leading the Thunder to an early 22-point lead.

Durant's three-point play early in the fourth extended the Thunder's lead to 15 points, and they were still up by 10 with 7:44 to go.

Paul willed his team back into the game, scoring six straight points to get the Clippers within six. Griffin made three of four free throws before Collison sealed the win.

The Pacers lead the second-round series 3-1 and can close it out Tuesday, hosting Game 5.


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Source: AAP


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