By ERIK GARCÍA GUNDERSEN The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Clippers took care of business during their three-day trip to the Pacific Northwest, making sure not to squander a pair of winnable games as they jockey for position in the Western Conference standings with the playoffs on the horizon.
Paul George scored 31 points, Kawhi Leonard had 22 and the Clippers completed a sweep of their two-game set in Portland, beating the Trail Blazers, 125-117, on Friday night.
At 44-25, the Clippers have a 1½-game lead over New Orleans for the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
“We’re not looking at them,” George said about the Pelicans. “It’s more about us. We’ve got to play well and we’re in the driver’s seat. So it’s more about us.”
The Clippers’ largest lead was 26 points, with Leonard and George sitting out the fourth quarter.
“I just want us to lock in and be healthy,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “The West is tough anyway, no matter who we play or where you play. Whether you start at home, start on the road, it’s going to be tough. So it doesn’t really bother me or phase me in any way. We’ve just got to be healthy.”
Scoot Henderson had 24 points and 10 assists for Portland in its fifth straight loss. The Trail Blazers were without starting center Deandre Ayton and lost scoring leader Anfernee Simons midway through the third quarter because of a left knee injury.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups said there was “no update” on Simons after the game.
The Clippers shot 42% from 3-point range, 57% overall and went 23 for 27 from the free-throw line (85%). George was 10 for 14 from the field, and Leonard was 9 for 15.
“When you play a team like that, they’re going to hit shots,” Henderson said. “You’ve just got to deal with it, move onto the next play and you’ve got to match that and try to get a stop again. If they keep hitting shots, it just is what it is. You’ve got to deal with…
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