Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points and matched a franchise scoring record as the Los Angeles Clippers continued their run of success in March with a 119-108 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday in Inglewood, Calif.
Leonard reached 20 points for the 44th consecutive game to match Bob McAdoo’s single-season franchise mark set in 1974-75, when the team played in Buffalo.
Bennedict Mathurin scored 26 points and Jordan Miller added 14 as the Clippers improved to 7-1 in the month while extending their winning streak to four games. Darius Garland (toe) did not play for the Clippers on the front end of a back-to-back with a home game against the Sacramento Kings coming on Saturday.
Los Angeles improved to 3-0 on a five-game homestand and have won five consecutive games in their own arena.
Chicago’s Josh Giddey posted 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his 11th triple double of the season. With his 29th career triple-double, Giddey passed Michael Jordan’s career total.
Tre Jones scored 21 points and Matas Buzelis added 18 points and 11 boards as the Bulls finished a 2-3 road trip.
Chicago was without Isaac Okoro (knee), Jalen Smith (calf), Jaden Ivey (knee), Collin Sexton (knee) and Anfernee Simons (hand).
The Bulls held a 79-78 lead with 4:06 remaining in the third quarter before the Clippers went on a 14-6 run to take a 92-85 lead into the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles led by as many as 14 points early in the final period before the Bulls pulled within 109-101 with 4:26 remaining on a layup from Jones. Mathurin sealed the victory on a dunk with 1:59 left for a 117-106 lead.
The Clippers led by as many as nine points in the first half and were up 63-57 at halftime. Leonard managed 14 points before the break despite 4-of-13 shooting. Jones had 12 points for the Bulls, who committed nine turnovers in the opening half to four by the Clippers.
Chicago ended the night with 15 giveaways to Los Angeles’ six.
