James Harden scored 30 points (21 on 7 3-pointers), and the LA Clippers went on a 15-2 run in the third quarter to beat the Chicago Bulls 122-117.
The Bulls led 85-83 when Harden’s corner 3-pointer put the Clippers ahead for good with 3:37 left in the third quarter. He made 3 3-pointers and Bogdan Bogdanović made 2 3-pointers, both on passes from Harden as they pulled away to a 98-87 lead with 43 seconds left in the quarter.
The Bulls got within 112-110 on Kevin Huerter’s cutting layup with 4:15 to play, but Bogdanović answered with a pull-up 3-pointer, and the Bulls got no closer than 115-112.
During clutch time, the Clippers outscored the Bulls 10-6. Harden scored 5 of the Clippers’ 10 on 2 for 5 shooting.
Amir Coffey scored 20 points on 7 for 11 shooting off the bench.
For the Bulls, Zach Collins had a season-high 21 points (12 in the paint), 17 rebounds and 7 assists, and Josh Giddey added 21 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists. Tre Jones scored 16 points on 7 for 9 shooting off the bench.
The Clippers shot 51.8% from the field and 51.4% from 3 to the Bulls’ 48.9% and 45.2%. The Bulls outscored the Clippers 22-6 on the fast break. The Clippers outscored the Bulls 19-6 in 4 minutes with Batum, Bogdanović, Simmons, Eubanks and Coffey on the floor together.