DALLAS —
The Clippers were missing their main cog, the absence of Kawhi Leonard because of right knee inflammation and swelling for Game 4 leaving the group shorthanded in what was deemed a potential series-altering playoff encounter.
But these were the moments why the Clippers acquired James Harden, why the Clippers acquired another future Hall of Famer, why the Clippers felt good about their chances even when Leonard can’t play.
And James didn’t let the Clippers down by scoring 12 of their final 16 points to help them withstand blowing a 31-point, finishing with 33 points to lead LA to a 116-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks Sunday afternoon at American Airlines Center.