Paul George scored 28 points and Kawhi Leonard added 27 to lead five players in double figures and propel the visiting Los Angeles Clippers to a 126-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
The Clippers (42-23) ended a two-game losing streak while sending the Bulls (32-35) to their third loss in four games.
Los Angeles shot 59.3 percent from the floor, compared to Chicago’s 47.7 percent. George sparked the offense with an 11-of-12 effort, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range.
Leonard, who was questionable before the game after back spasms kept him out for the final three quarters of Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota, was 12-for-17.
Bones Hyland notched a double-double, finishing with 17 points and 11 assists. Norman Powell had 18 points and Terance Mann scored 12.
DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points to lead Chicago. Nikola Vucevic followed with 19 and Alex Caruso with 17 points, including five triples. Andre Drummond contributed 15 points and seven rebounds and Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter each scored 12 points.
Ivica Zubac had eight rebounds, a Los Angeles record.
James Harden (left shoulder soreness) missed the game for the Clippers.
Coby White missed his first game of the season for the Bulls after injuring his right hip late in regulation of Wednesday’s overtime road win over the Indiana Pacers. White, who is considered day-to-day, entered the night as the league’s minutes leader.
DeRozan surpassed him in that category during the game.
The Clippers took a 64-53 lead into halftime thanks to a solid double from Leonard (16 points) and George (15). George was 3-for-4 from beyond the arc to help the Clippers post an 8-for-19 effort from long range before the break.
Although the Bulls had even more success from deep, shooting 9 of 15, they could not keep pace with Los Angeles. Caruso scored 11 points and was the only Bull in double figures, while DeRozan and Craig followed with nine points each.
Los Angeles swept the season series against Chicago on the heels of the Clippers’ 112-102 home victory on Saturday.
Los Angeles has won eight of its last 11 meetings against the Bulls.
–Field media/Reuters
