NBA: Paul George drops 41 points as Clippers beat Hornets

Paul George heated up from the perimeter for eight 3-point baskets on his way to a season-high 41 points and the Los Angeles Clippers won another road game, beating the Charlotte Hornets 130-118 on Sunday night.

Ivica Zubac racked up 24 points and 12 rebounds and Kawhi Leonard had 23 points to boost Los Angeles, which shot 57.3 percent from the field. Norman Powell’s 16 points and Russell Westbrook’s 11 points led the Clippers’ production off the bench.

The Clippers (47-27) have their first three-game winning streak since winning four in a row from Jan. 31-Feb. 5.

Miles Bridges poured in 33 points and Brandon Miller tallied 22 points for the Hornets (18-56), who lost for the seventh time in eight games. Grant Williams added 18 points and Davis Bertans posted 15 points off the bench.

George shot 14-for-21 from the field, 8-for-12 from 3-point range and 5-for-5 at the foul line, notching the game’s last two points on free throws with 43.8 seconds to play. His previous season high was 38 points on Jan. 16 against Oklahoma City.

Los Angeles guard James Harden was limited to six points, but he distributed 10 assists.

The Hornets shot 50 percent from the floor, but the offensive execution from the Clippers, who led by as many as 19 points, didn’t allow Charlotte to catch up for long stretches.

Los Angeles held a 101-84 lead at the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter before the gap shrunk to 111-105 on Miller’s 3-point basket with 5:24 to play. George answered with a basket for the Clippers, and Powell had the next four Los Angeles points as the margin grew to double figures again.

Los Angeles finished 30-for-34 on free throws, with Zubac going 10-for-10. The Hornets were 7-for-11.

In the first half, the Clippers gradually took control, building a 67-55 halftime lead.

Los Angeles has won five of its past seven games. The Clippers improved to 25-14 in road games. — Field Level Media/Reuters