Tim Duncan (21) led the Spurs to a hard-fought road win over the Clippers. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
LOS ANGELES — Forward Tim Duncan scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and forward Kawhi Leonard added 21 points and nine boards, lifting the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-107 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference playoffs on Wednesday night at Staples Center.
The Spurs never trailed in the extra session. Forward Danny Green’s corner 3-pointer 46 seconds into overtime gave San Antonio a 97-94 lead. Los Angeles tied the score at 101 on a 3-pointer by guard J.J. Redick, but a 6-0 Spurs surge gave them a 107-101 advantage.
Paul’s 3-pointer cut the deficit to 107-104, but Redick missed a wide-open trey with 13.9 seconds remaining. Point guard Patty Mills, who finished with 18 points, hit two foul shots with 11 seconds remaining, which turned out to be the difference. After Redick’s 3-pointer sliced the gap to 109-107, Mills added two more with four seconds left to cap the scoring and even the series at 1-1.
Game 3 is Friday at San Antonio.
Forward Blake Griffin had 29 points and 11 rebounds, point guard Chris Paul finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and center DeAndre Jordan had 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Redick’s two free throws tied the score at 90 with 2:03 remaining in regulation. After the two teams exchanged baskets, Jordan blocked Duncan’s attempt in the lane. Paul hit two free throws for a 94-92 lead with 50.2 seconds left.
Forward Matt Barnes stole the ball with 32.9 seconds left, but Griffin turned it over with 11.9 seconds remaining. Mills, who replaced point guard Tony Parker with about five minutes remaining and played the rest of the way, tied the score at 94 with two foul shots with 8.6 seconds remaining.
Paul’s jumper with 1.9 seconds remaining missed, forcing overtime.
Unlike Game 1, when they had trouble making shots, the Spurs converted in the opening half. They hit 50 percent from the floor compared to 48.8 percent for the Clippers to grab a 52-47 advantage at the half. Overall, the Spurs shot 46.2 percent to 42.4 for the Clippers.
NOTES: San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich and Los Angeles’ Doc Rivers said they were saddened by the firing of Scott Brooks of the Oklahoma City Thunder. “Scottie Brooks has done a heck of a job,” Popovich said. “He’s a hard-working, talented coach, a good man. He won’t have to wait very long to be a head coach again. He’s a quality guy.” … San Antonio’s Game 1 loss was its first in 11 playoff series. The last time the Spurs dropped the opening game of a series was 2011, when the Memphis Grizzlies defeated them. … Game 4 is Sunday at San Antonio. Game 5 will be Tuesday at Staples Center.
