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James Harden, Clippers hold off Bulls to end 3-game skid – San Bernardino Sun

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Clippers guard James Harden, left, shoots over Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis during the second half on Wednesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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CHICAGO — Having two healthy Hall-of-Fame players on the court makes a world of difference for any team, and it’s probably essential for the Clippers if they want to make any kind of postseason run.

James Harden made seven 3-pointers and scored 30 points, and Kawhi Leonard rejoined the lineup after a two-game absence as the Clippers beat the Chicago Bulls, 122-117, on Wednesday night.

Leonard had 17 points and eight rebounds after missing back-to-back games (and three of the previous four) because of a sore left foot, and the Clippers got back to winning after losing three in a row. Wednesday’s game was just the 17th for two-time NBA Finals MVP Leonard, who missed the first nine weeks of the season as he recovered from a right knee injury.

Amir Coffey added 20 points and Derrick Jones Jr. had 16 for the Clippers. Bogdan Bogdanovic shot 4 for 5 from 3-point range to finish with 14 points, and Ivica Zubac had another double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds, two blocked shots) to help the sixth-place Clippers move a half-game ahead of Minnesota in the tightly packed Western Conference standings.

Zach Collins set season highs with 21 points and a career-best 17 rebounds for Chicago, and Josh Giddey had 21 points and 12 assists. Coby White scored 19, but the Bulls lost for the seventh time in eight games. Tre Jones (16), Lonzo Ball (15), and Kevin Huerter (13) also scored in double-digits for Chicago.

Harden shot just 1 for 5 from the field in the first half, but he caught fire in the second half. He scored 20 points and made five 3-point shots in the third quarter as the Clippers grabbed the lead for good. A Giddey 3-pointer had given the Bulls an 85-83 with 4:39 left in the period, but the Clippers scored 19 of the next 27 points.

The Bulls kept it tight until the end. They drew within two points on a Huerter layup with 4:14 left, but the Clippers held them off with a 3-pointer from Bogdanovic and a layup from Harden. White cut the margin to three on a basket with 1:03 left, but he missed an attempt at a tying 3-pointer with 36 seconds left, then Harden secured the win with a pull-up 3-pointer with 14.1 seconds remaining.

Harden wasn’t the only Clipper with a hot hand from long range. The Clippers shot 19 for 37 from deep, with Leonard (three), Jones (two) and Coffey) all joining Harden and Bogdanovic with multiple 3-point baskets. Kris Dunn made the only one he attempted.



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