James Harden Fuels Third-Quarter Surge as Clippers Defeat Heat 109-98

In a thrilling display of resilience and teamwork, the Los Angeles Clippers snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating the Miami Heat 109-98 on Monday night. James Harden spearheaded a third-quarter rally, scoring 13 of his 26 points during a decisive run that saw the Clippers outscore the Heat 36-20 in the period.

The Clippers were returning to action after five days, their scheduled game on Saturday postponed due to devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The team embraced a sense of unity, distributing white towels emblazoned with “LA Strong” and a blue silhouette of California to fans in attendance.

Norman Powell led the charge for the Clippers with a game-high 29 points, while Ivica Zubac recorded his 25th double-double of the season, contributing 21 points and a dominant 20 rebounds. Harden was instrumental, adding 11 assists to his scoring output.

The Clippers entered halftime trailing but erupted in the third quarter. Harden’s eight straight points brought the game level before his three-pointers, combined with Powell’s sharpshooting, pushed the Clippers into a commanding 79-68 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Kawhi Leonard, still working his way back from injury, played 21 minutes, scoring six points on 3-of-9 shooting. His minutes remain limited as he builds rhythm. Off the bench, Kel’el Ware impressed with 19 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, giving the Clippers a crucial spark.

The Heat, who entered the game on a three-game winning streak, were hampered by the absence of star center Bam Adebayo, sidelined with lower back pain after a hard fall in Portland. Veteran Kevin Love filled in admirably, hitting three first-quarter three-pointers, but Miami struggled to maintain its early momentum. Tyler Herro shone for the Heat, delivering 32 points and 11 rebounds, but his efforts weren’t enough to stave off the Clippers’ second-half surge.

Harden’s chemistry with his teammates, particularly in the third quarter, highlights the team’s growing cohesion. With Powell stepping up as a reliable scoring option and Zubac’s dominance on the boards, the Clippers showed their potential when firing on all cylinders.

The Heat fell to 3-2 on their six-game Western road trip, with Adebayo’s absence leaving a noticeable void in the paint. Herro’s standout performance was a silver lining, but Miami’s depth will need to step up as they close out the trip.

The Heat (3-2 on the road trip) will look to bounce back as they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Clippers will host the Brooklyn Nets, hoping to build momentum after Monday’s morale-boosting win.

This victory not only lifts the Clippers’ spirits but also underscores their ability to rally under pressure. With their stars rounding into form, the Clippers are positioning themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.

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