Brandon Ingram scored 36 points, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the LA Clippers 122-114.
Ingram’s three-point play put the Pelicans ahead for good with 8.4 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Clippers got within 93-92 on Mason Plumlee’s hook shot with 11:08 to play, but CJ McCollum answered with a 12-foot step-back jumper, and the Clippers got no closer than 99-97.
During clutch time, the Pelicans outscored the Clippers 9-0. Ingram scored 7 of the Pelicans’ 9 on 3 for 3 shooting and 1 for 1 at the line.
Jonas Valančiūnas had 23 points (16 in the paint) and 12 rebounds.
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard had 40 points and 8 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook added 24 points (11 in the second quarter) and 10 assists.
The Clippers forced 7 turnovers, about 5 fewer than usual for this many possessions. The Clippers were outscored 17-4 in 5 minutes with Westbrook, Plumlee, Covington, Mann and Hyland on the floor together.