Clippers Beat Thunder 108-92 for 1st Win of Season
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Los Angeles is looking to compete with a mix of veterans and youngsters who came together to earn their first win of the season.
Danilo Gallinari and Tobias Harris scored 26 points each and the Clippers rallied in the fourth quarter for a 108-92 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.
''They just want to win and they're over themselves,'' Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.
The Thunder fell to 0-2 without Russell Westbrook, who has a right knee issue.
''He's missed everywhere,'' said guard Raymond Felton, who had 10 points off the bench.
Lou Williams, last season's Sixth Man of the Year, added 17 points off the bench. He hit a clutch 3-pointer to snap a 90-all tie and give the Clippers the lead for good midway through the fourth.
The Clippers outscored the Thunder 37-15 in the final quarter, when 7-foot-3 Boban Marjanovic scored 10 of his 13 points and Gallinari led the cheers from the bench.
''When you see the energy and the fans on our side, we were just having fun,'' Gallinari said.
Paul George led the Thunder with 20 points before fouling out with 1:13 remaining in the game. He was 7 of 27 from the field in part because of the defense of Avery Bradley and Luc Mbah a Moute.
''They made it a hard night on George,'' Rivers said.
Steven Adams had 17 points and 18 rebounds, including 12 on the defensive glass for the Thunder.
''We've got to execute better, we've got to run offense, and we're not going to be able just to rely on guys just trying to create and manufacture shots,'' Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. ''We have to do it together.''
The Clippers led by 17 points in the first quarter. They were up by two at halftime before the Thunder took a nine-point lead in the third.
Los Angeles opened the game on a 16-0 run while the Thunder missed their first six shots. But Oklahoma City never took the lead despite twice pulling into a tie.
The Thunder gained their first lead of the game, 49-48, on a 3-pointer by Patrick Pattersonto start the third. George took over offensively for a stretch, highlighted by a 3-pointer in which he got fouled and made the free throw, that helped Oklahoma City lead by nine.
****** Alex Abrines #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder scores basket against Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of the basketball game at Staples Center on October 19, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
Danilo Gallinari and Tobias Harris scored 26 points each and the Clippers rallied in the fourth quarter for a 108-92 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.
''They just want to win and they're over themselves,'' Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.
The Thunder fell to 0-2 without Russell Westbrook, who has a right knee issue.
''He's missed everywhere,'' said guard Raymond Felton, who had 10 points off the bench.
Lou Williams, last season's Sixth Man of the Year, added 17 points off the bench. He hit a clutch 3-pointer to snap a 90-all tie and give the Clippers the lead for good midway through the fourth.
The Clippers outscored the Thunder 37-15 in the final quarter, when 7-foot-3 Boban Marjanovic scored 10 of his 13 points and Gallinari led the cheers from the bench.
''When you see the energy and the fans on our side, we were just having fun,'' Gallinari said.
Paul George led the Thunder with 20 points before fouling out with 1:13 remaining in the game. He was 7 of 27 from the field in part because of the defense of Avery Bradley and Luc Mbah a Moute.
''They made it a hard night on George,'' Rivers said.
Steven Adams had 17 points and 18 rebounds, including 12 on the defensive glass for the Thunder.
''We've got to execute better, we've got to run offense, and we're not going to be able just to rely on guys just trying to create and manufacture shots,'' Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. ''We have to do it together.''
The Clippers led by 17 points in the first quarter. They were up by two at halftime before the Thunder took a nine-point lead in the third.
Los Angeles opened the game on a 16-0 run while the Thunder missed their first six shots. But Oklahoma City never took the lead despite twice pulling into a tie.
The Thunder gained their first lead of the game, 49-48, on a 3-pointer by Patrick Pattersonto start the third. George took over offensively for a stretch, highlighted by a 3-pointer in which he got fouled and made the free throw, that helped Oklahoma City lead by nine.
****** Alex Abrines #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder scores basket against Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of the basketball game at Staples Center on October 19, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.