Clippers move into 6th seed with huge win against Knicks

NEW YORK -- The Clippers were looking to avenge their close loss against the Thunder on Sunday with a win that would propel them into the 6th seed in the Western Conference. 

The Knicks at Madison Square Garden were standing in their way, but riding a second half explosion, the Clippers took care of New York 126-113 to move out of the Play-In Tournament. 

James Harden could barely walk after rolling his foot against the Thunder on Sunday, but with two days off in between that game and the one on Wednesday in New York, Harden was determined to give it a go. The Clippers are sure glad he did. 

Harden ended the game with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists on 8-for-16 shooting. His 16 point 3rd quarter including three back-to-back-to-back makes from beyond the arc propelled the Clippers to a high turnaround in the second half. 

The Knicks led by as many as 14 points on Wednesday night, but a 16-3 run to end the third quarter by the Clippers flipped the game. That 40 point quarter led to a 4th quarter takeover by Kawhi Leonard. 

Leonard was once again fantastic, notching 27 points and 10 rebounds on 10-for-18 shooting. 

Over Leonard's past 6 games, he is averaging 26 points and 8 rebounds per game on 59% from the field and 52% from three. 

Kawhi is returning to the All-NBA form that we saw last year and this time, it is coming at the right time. 

Game-by-game it is looking like the right decision to hold out Leonard for the first half of the season, and as long as his knee stays strong, the Clippers will be a serious threat in the West. 

The players surrounding those stars are stepping up too, with Norman Powell pouring in 19 points, Derrick Jones Jr. tallying 12 points and 6 rebounds and Ivica Zubac once again notching a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. 

The Clippers will now get a day of rest before taking on the Brooklyn Nets. Tipoff is set for 4:30 PM PST on Friday.