Clippers guard Norman Powell scores on a layup in front of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, and Lindy Waters III during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, right, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden drives between Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left, and Trayce Jackson-Davis during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey, center, passes the ball away from the Golden State Warriors Trayce Jackson-Davis (32), Draymond Green (23) and Steph Curry, right, during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, center, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, and Amir Coffey defend during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden handles the ball as the Golden State Warriors Brandin Podziemski defends during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, left, talks with Brandin Podziemski during the first half of their game against the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, center, scores between the Golden State Warriors Lindy Waters III, left, Steph Curry, bottom, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, right, during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) and guard James Harden (1) defend during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Injured Clippers star Kawhi Leonard watches from the bench during the first half of their game against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry grabs a rebound in front of Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) and teammate Draymond Green, left, during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots as Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left shoots as Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. defends during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue watches from the sideline during the first half of their game against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Terance Mann drives to the basket between the Golden State Warriors Moses Moody, left, and Jonathan Kuminga during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green reacts after making a 3-point shot during the first half of their game against the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden, left, reacts as he drives to the basket between the Golden State Warriors Brandin Podziemski, right, and Kyle Anderson during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, right, drives past Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, and guard James Harden during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, left, shoots as Clippers guard James Harden defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry defends during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden scores on a layup in front of the Golden State Warriors Trayce Jackson-Davis during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry watches from the bench during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac scores on a shot over the Golden State Warriors Trayce Jackson-Davis, left, during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, left, shoots as Clippers forward Nicolas Batum defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell gestures after making a 3-point shot during the second half of their game against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins, left, reacts as he is fouled from behind by Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins fakes Clippers guard Terance Mann into the air during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Norman Powell gets to the basket for a layup in front of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during the second half on Monday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac, middle, grabs a rebound in front of the Golden State Warriors Brandin Podziemski, right, during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors Buddy Hield handles the ball the Clippers Nicolas Batum (33) and Amir Coffey defend during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry stands on the court during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Golden State Warriors Jonathan Kuminga reacts as he is defended by Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr., left, and Terance Mann during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers center Mo Bamba, left, is fouled by Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield as he tries to shoot during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry reacts as he saves the ball from going back court during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden drives to the basket as the Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden, second from right, shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, left, forward Kyle Anderson, second from left, and guard Brandin Podziemski defend during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green questions a call during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry scores past Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, scores past the Golden State Warriors Lindy Waters III (43) and Andrew Wiggins, right, during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clipprs fans stand in The Wall during the second half of their game against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins scores as he is fouled by the Clippers Derrick Jones Jr. during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry takes a 3-point shot in front of Clippers center Mo Bamba, left, and Derrick Jones Jr. (55) during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, handles the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski, left, shoots as Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr., center, shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Kyle Anderson, left, and guard Buddy Hield defend during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, right, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, tries to get past Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, left, discusses a call with an official during the second half of their game against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, left, dunks as Golden State Warriors forward Kyle Anderson defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, right, shoots as Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, shoots as Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield defends during the second half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry looks toward the scoreboard after their loss to the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry gestures after the Clippers defeated the Warriors, 102-99, on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, hugs Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry before the start of their game on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Show Caption1 of 58Clippers guard Norman Powell scores on a layup in front of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, and Lindy Waters III during the first half on Monday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ExpandINGLEWOOD — It certainly wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was ugly and chaotic and messy at the end.
But it was a victory, another tight, down-to-the-wire win against one of the best teams in the Western Conference and the Clippers were relieved to have held off the Golden State Warriors,102-99, on the second night of a back-to-back on Monday at the Intuit Dome.
“We just have to win games ugly. It doesn’t matter how we win, we just have to win games until we get No. 2 back,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said, referring to All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, who has started light shooting.
“It wasn’t that ugly but we got to win, we got to win. So, it doesn’t matter.”
The Clippers will take this one and any more they can squeeze out until Leonard’s troublesome right knee is deemed strong enough for him to play.
The Clippers led by three (75-72) at the end of the third quarter when Lue pulled the team into a huddle and warned them the Warriors were going to make one of their trademark runs in the final quarter.
“They’re a good team. We have to keep our composure, and we have to play basketball the right way,” Lue said. “We need to get to our next actions and don’t make it a dribble-fest.”
Instead, the game turned into a 3-point contest in the final period. The teams combined for seven 3-pointers – two by Steph Curry and two by the Clippers’ Norman Powell – in the final six minutes but it came down to defense.
Andrew Wiggins (22 points) made a 3-pointer to pull the Warriors to within 102-95 with 2:12 remaining. After a Curry layup, Wiggins cut to the basket for another two points that trimmed the lead to 102-99.
But the Warriors couldn’t get a final shot to fall. Curry missed with 12 seconds left and Gary Payton II missed a 26-footer with two seconds left, leaving the Warriors with a second loss to the Clippers this season.
“We had opportunities to score, we turned the ball over a couple of times. They missed shots, we didn’t rebound and get offensive rebounds,” Clippers point guard James Harden said. “They gave us more chances. We’re just happy to come out with a win.”
The stage seemingly was set for a shootout, a showdown, something.
Curry, long-regarded as the top shooter in NBA history, was going up against Harden, the newly minted No. 2 on the career list for 3-point baskets, in an early season test in front of a near-sellout crowd.
But a contest between the game’s two most prolific long-range shooters never materialized as Harden struggled to breathe. He had been sick for two days with chest congestion that he said made it difficult to catch his breath.
But he was able to post 12 points and 16 assists despite not feeling well. He said the team has a mission and he aims to be a part of it all.
“For me, if I’m able to run and still be myself (I’m going to play,” Harden said. “I’ve played through injuries and this was a little sickness, chest tightness so it wasn’t going to stop me.”
Curry finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists, but the four-time NBA champion couldn’t get a 3-point attempt to fall in the frenetic final seconds.
Powell shook off soreness in his left hamstring and finished with a team-high 23 points, adding to his distinction as the Clippers’ best overall shooter.
Powell has scored 20 or more points 10 times this season, including three games with 30 or more. He came into the game averaging 23.3 points and shooting 46.9% from long range.
Curry had been listed as questionable for the game because of bursitis in his left knee but his availability was never in doubt, according to Warriors coach Steve Kerr. It took him a little more than a half to get going, but he hit 10 of 21 shots and made six 3-pointers, adding to his 800-plus basket lead on Harden.
A day earlier, Harden conceded Curry’s dominance at the arc.
“I mean, I’m one of the most confident guys that we have in this league. But no, I probably won’t catch Steph,” said Harden, who trails Curry by an insurmountable 811 shots. “And I don’t think anybody will honestly.”
Ivica Zubac had 17 rebounds – 10 in the first half – to go along with eight points. It’s the fifth time this season he’s recorded 10+ rebounds in a single half. Zubac did it five times all last season.
The Clippers led, 56-45, at the end of the first half, but watched as their advantage disappeared in a barrage of 3-pointers, forcing them to dig deep again. They did finish 16 for 18 from the free-throw line, while the Warriors went 9 for 19.
Lue said this game was one more example of how much the Clippers’ defense has improved under assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy.
“They (Warriors) know how to play the game, so for us to hold this team to 99 points defensively says a lot about what we are doing. We’re scrapping, we’re competing,” he said.
“We can play with the good teams every night. We just have to figure out how we want to close games. That’s the biggest thing. I never fault our effort, intensity, playing hard defensively.”