The Clippers needed everything Paul George gave them – and more.
The Clippers could have done it themselves, but unfortunately for them, George – on a medically prescribed work limit – maxed out his minutes at 32 in regulation, leaving his squad to forge on without him for five frustrating extra minutes.“It’s unfortunate not to be able to have our best player in Paul out there, a guy who draws so much attention,” said Reggie Jackson, who scored a team-high 34 points, two shy of his season high. “It just sucks that we felt like we had and we let it slip.
DeRozan made the foul shot, cutting the lead to 118-116, and then he launched a 3-pointer that was off the mark – but George fouled him on the attempt, sending Chicago’s star right back to the line for three more free throws with just 3.5 seconds remaining. In OT, Luke Kennard’s 3-pointer from the top of the arc cut the Bulls’ lead to 126-125, but Patrick Williams’ 3-pointer from the corner gave the hosts – who had been chasing stubbornly all game – a bit of breathing room with 58 seconds left.
In his second game back on Thursday, George finished with 22 points four rebounds, five assists and three steals. He shot 7 for 20, including going 2 for 9 from 3-point range and 6 for 7 from the free-throw line – not as efficient as his first game back but still, his presence helped free up his friends and helping the Clippers shoot 50% from the field for the first time in nine games.