LOS ANGELES (AP-MODIFIED) — Lou Williams made a go-ahead jumper with 58 seconds left, then added a 3-pointer and finished with 26 points to lift the Los Angeles Clippers over the Portland Trail Blazers 107-101 on Thursday night for coach Doc Rivers' 900th career victory.
Kawhi Leonard had 27 points, 13 rebounds and six turnovers after missing a nationally televised loss to Milwaukee the previous night as part of load management for his knee.
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum led Portland with 22 points apiece, but both got blanked in the fourth quarter of the Blazers' third straight loss.
The Clippers rallied from eight points down early in the fourth, taking their first lead on Leonard's basket.
Rivers became the 13th coach in NBA history to reach 900 wins. Los Angeles improved to 5-1 at home.
GOING RETRO
To celebrate the franchise's 50th anniversary, the Clippers wore Buffalo Braves-styled orange and black trimmed jerseys representing their years in New York state from 1970-78. The first 5,000 fans received tube socks. The Blazers also are marking 50 years in existence.
When the Clippers announced on Twitter that they'd be wearing the Braves throwbacks, plenty of fans shared their support for bringing a team or a game to the Queen City.
Idea....Play a game in Buffalo.
— KC (@KPChristiano) November 7, 2019
play in buffalo
— bailey (@b_aileyyyy) November 8, 2019
— HLC 6-2/9-4-2/1-0 (@__hlc__) November 8, 2019
I grew up in Buffalo in the 70s. I love these throwbacks and might even buy one.
— Dennis Layman (@DennisLayman) November 8, 2019
Watching the Clippers play in the retro Braves jerseys is so cool. It’s hard to imagine Buffalo had an NBA team. It makes me wonder how different things would be if they never left.
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) November 8, 2019
