James Harden scored 24 points, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a 104-93 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. With the win, the Clippers improved to 9-7 and extended their home winning streak to six games.
Harden’s performance was pivotal, even though he struggled with his shooting, making only 5 of 14 field goal attempts. He made up for it by hitting 11 of 12 free throws, along with seven rebounds and five assists.
Amir Coffey and Ivica Zubac also contributed significantly, scoring 18 and 17 points, respectively. Zubac also grabbed 12 rebounds, playing a key role in controlling the boards for the Clippers.
The Magic, who had won six straight games, saw their streak snapped. Despite a strong effort from Anthony Black, who finished with 17 points and eight assists, the Magic could not overcome the Clippers’ second-half dominance.
Jalen Suggs added 16 points, but Orlando struggled with their shooting, making only 33 of 75 attempts.
The Clippers, already without Kawhi Leonard, were also missing Norman Powell due to a hamstring injury. Despite these absences, Los Angeles showed their depth, with key contributions from players like Coffey and Zubac.
After a tight first half, the Clippers used a dominant third quarter to seize control of the game. They outscored Orlando 30-21, including a 14-2 run that gave them a comfortable lead.
While the Magic made a brief push with a nine-point run, Los Angeles responded with seven straight points to end the quarter with a 10-point advantage.
The Clippers’ defense also played a crucial role in their victory. They limited Orlando to just 22.9% shooting from beyond the arc, while dominating in second-chance points with a 17-2 advantage.
Despite committing 25 turnovers, Los Angeles’ defense and rebounding efforts helped nullify those mistakes.
In addition to Harden, Coffey and Zubac, the Clippers also saw strong bench performances. Kevin Porter Jr. added 10 points and six assists, while Mo Bamba chipped in with seven points and four rebounds.
With several key players sidelined, including Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando was unable to keep up with the Clippers’ balanced attack.
