Clippers thwart Mavs' comeback bid, Brunson's 47 points fuel Knicks win

WASHINGTON: James Harden and Paul George combined for 66 points as the Los Angeles Clippers survived an epic Dallas comeback bid to tie their NBA playoff series on Sunday (Apr 28) as New York took a 3-1 lead over Philadelphia behind Jalen Brunson's 47 points.

The Clippers squared their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series at 2-2 with a 116-111 triumph in Dallas, but not before the Mavs erased a 31-point deficit.

George scored 26 of his 33 points in the first half to help the Clippers build their big lead despite the injury absence of Kawhi Leonard.

Harden scored 15 of his 33 in the fourth quarter, when Dallas - led by the star duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic - threatened to match the biggest comeback win in NBA playoff history.

Irving scored 40 points for Dallas, including a driving layup through traffic with 2:14 to play that gave the Mavs their first lead since the first quarter at 104-103.

Doncic delivered a triple-double of 29 points plus 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but in the waning minutes it was George, Harden and the Clippers who came through.

George made his first basket of the second half, a three-pointer, to put the Clippers back up 107-105 with 1:55 to play.

Harden converted a three-point play and the Clippers held on.

"We can't go home down 3-1," Harden said of the Clippers' resolve.

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue was pleased with his team's composure in the face of the Mavs' late onslaught.

"They're a great team," Lue said. "Kyrie and Luka, they're going to make crazy shots, make some tough shots and we knew they would make a run.

"But we also didn't think we would come into the building and be up 31 points either. I told our team, just get the win."

In Philadelphia, Brunson broke the New York franchise