Kawhi Leonard scored 39 points and made a decisive late steal as the Clippers beat Denver 105-102 in Game 2.
Leonard shot 15 of 19 from the field, helping Los Angeles recover from its overtime loss and level the first-round series.
Leonard delivers an elite shooting night
Leonard scored 21 points before half-time and closed the second quarter with a pull-up three for a 55-52 lead.
He finished 4 of 7 from deep and made all five free throws, adding five assists and two steals.
James Harden scored 18 with seven assists, while Ivica Zubac contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Clippers execute in the final two minutes
Jamal Murray tied the game at 100 with 2:07 remaining before Norman Powell restored the Clippers’ lead from a Leonard pass.
Nikola Jokic cut the margin to one at the line, but Leonard answered with a pull-up jumper from 21 feet.
He then intercepted Jokic’s pass with 37.3 seconds left, protecting a three-point advantage.
Denver misses two chances to force overtime
Christian Braun missed a three with 5.9 seconds remaining before Jokic grabbed the rebound and missed another from deep.
Jokic still recorded 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, but his seven turnovers contributed to Denver’s total of 20.
Murray scored 23 and Michael Porter Jr. added 15 points and 15 rebounds. Leonard’s control at both ends gave the Clippers a road split and shifted the series to Los Angeles at 1-1.
