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Clippers start fast in Game 4, even series with Jazz

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  • The Clippers’ Paul George shoots over Utah’s Derrick Favors during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz slam dunks against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers passes against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz fouls Marcus Morris Sr. #8 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Utah Jazz during as time out against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Marcus Morris Sr. #8 of the LA Clippers blocks the shot by Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers scores against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots a three pointer against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • LA Clippers owner Steve Balmer, center, looks on during warm ups prior to game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz passes against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz passes against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Head Coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers reacts agains the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • The Clippers’ Marcus Morris Sr. shoots a 3-pointer over Utah’s Derrick Favors during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz reacts after a foul against Kawhi Leonard (not pictured) of the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Head Coach Quin Snyder talks with Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reaches for the ball against Jordan Clarkson #00 and teammate Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz reacts after fouling Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers is fouled by Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers goes down hard after being fouled against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers drives tot he basket against Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers rebounds against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers reacts after a three pointer against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers reacts after scoring and drawing the foul against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers scores against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers is fouled driving to the basket by Georges Niang #31 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Head coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers talks to referee Zach Zarba #15 after a foul call in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game against the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz derives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Reggie Jackson #1 reacts with teammate Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers after scoring and drawing the foul against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Reggie Jackson #1 reacts with teammate Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers after scoring and drawing the foul against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz shoots a three pointer against the LA Clippers in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks on as Marcus Morris Sr. #8 of the LA Clippers shoots a free-throw in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks on as Marcus Morris Sr. #8 of the LA Clippers shoots a free-throw in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • basketball fans wearing masks due to the Coronavirus Pandemic look on in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Head coach Tyronn Lue talks to Reggie Jackson #1 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard dunks over Utah’s Derrick Favors during the second quarter of Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard dunks over Utah’s Derrick Favors during the second quarter of Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard dunks over Utah’s Derrick Favors during the second quarter of Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard dunks over Utah’s Derrick Favors during the second quarter of Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

  • Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts toward a fan after a slam dunk over Derrick Favors (not pictured) of the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • basketball fans wearing masks due to the Coronavirus Pandemic look on in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Head coach Tyronn Lue talks to Reggie Jackson #1 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers against the Utah Jazz in the first half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Utah Jazz in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 high fives teammate c40 after scoring agains the Utah Jazz in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers fights for the rebound against Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer looks on in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers steal the ball from Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers steal the ball from Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • LA Clippers fan reacts after a basket in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • j345 looks toward the scoreboard in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game against the LA Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers fights for the ball with Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers fights for the ball with Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz listens to head coach Quin Snyder with a towel in his mouth during a time out against the LA Clippers in the fourth quarter of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers is fouled by Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers is fouled by Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers is fouled by Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz fouls Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz fouls Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

  • Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz fouls Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers in the second half of game four of the Western Conference second-round NBA basketball playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, June 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

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LOS ANGELES — This time, the Clippers weren’t messing around early.

Kawhi Leonard really, really wasn’t.

With his team already up 22 points in the first half, Leonard blew past Royce O’Neale and swallowed up Derrick Favors, throwing down a vicious, violent dunk on Utah’s backup center that punctuated the Clippers’ mood on Monday evening: Determined, aggressive, mean.

They defeated the top-seeded Utah Jazz, 118-104, in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series, rallying to tie the best-of-seven series after falling behind 2-0 for the second consecutive series.

Coach Tyronn Lue’s squad can make history if it wins the series as the first team in NBA history to recover from 2-0 deficits twice in the same postseason.

Game 5 is Wednesday at Salt Lake City – and Game 6 is now guaranteed to be necessary on Friday night at Staples Center, where for the first time this season, local coronavirus protocols will be relaxed enough that a capacity crowd will be let in.

Because of crowd restrictions imposed by the pandemic, only 8,474 fans were on hand Monday to witness what was, for most of the game, a bludgeoning, as the Clippers lived up to everything they’d promised they’d do.

Their stars said they’d continue to apply pressure; Leonard and Paul George came hungry and feasted (on steak, bypassing the ketchup – in accordance with Coach Tyronn Lue’s Game 3 metaphor).

Moreover, the Clippers punched first; this time they led 10-2 to start – a lead that ballooned to as many as 29 points in the first half. And they defended honorably and physically, holding Utah to 42.9% shooting from the field and 40.5% from long range and recording eight steals and seven blocked shots.

And they held on, fending off a proud Jazz team that’s missing All-Star point guard Mike Conley (out with a hamstring strain) more every game. L.A.’s advantages were plentiful, including an 18-1 lead in second-chance points and a 21-11 in gap bench points

After seeming to suffer the aftereffects of a grueling seven-game first-round series against Dallas, the Clippers had their legs sturdily under them Monday, sprinting ahead to build a buffer that stood up all the way until the final buzzer – although Utah got as close as 112-102 with two minutes to play.

Six free throws between George and Marcus Morris Sr. snuffed out that late threat, though.

Leonard (31 points in 34 minutes) and George (31 points in 40) led the way, in the process becoming just the third duo in NBA history to score 20 or more points in all 11 games of a postseason – something previously accomplished by only the Laker tandems of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant (2003) and Jerry West and Elgin Baylor (1962).

Leonard – who seemed to limp slightly after planting oddly on a fourth-quarter drive to the basket – added seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block before checking out with 4:35 to play in the fourth quarter, his team ahead, 107-92. On a postgame interview on TNT, Leonard said, “I’ll be good,” in regard to his leg.

George? He chipped in generously too, with nine rebounds and four assists.

And Morris rode shotgun with the superstars early, helping to establish the trajectory Monday with 22 of his 24 points in the first half.

A 47.3% 3-point shooter this season who was 1 for 16 from deep this series before Monday, Morris’ found his rhythm with his twin brother, Markieff Morris (the Laker) in the building for Game 4. Marcus shot 5 for 6 from behind the arc Monday.

Patrick Beverley – the Clippers’ 6-1 guard – was at his provocative best in 21 minutes off the bench, wrestling for loose balls and keeping up a running dialogue en route to four blocks and a steal.

Nicolas Batum provided his characteristic sampling of seven points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.

Collectively, the Clippers shot 46.8% from the field and 40.5% (15 for 37) from 3.

More to come on this story.


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