Just two days after Lou Williams hit a driving game-winning layup with .3 seconds remaining in overtime that gave the Los Angeles Clippers a 128-116 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
Williams came up huge again Monday night at Staples Center, scoring the Clippers’ final 10 points in overtime, as he propelled Los Angeles to a 121-116 victory over the two-time reigning champion Golden State Warriors.
“Lou is like all great scorers,” said Clippers Coach Doc Rivers. “Every miss, they think they’re closer to getting hot, not that it’s a bad night.”
Even after shooting 3 of 16 through four quarters, Williams confidence was never rattled, as he knew his number would be called late in the game.
“There would be no point for me to be on the floor if I didn’t have confidence,” said Williams, who finished with 25 points.
Los Angeles led 64-61 at halftime and shot 60 percent from the field, behind Danilo Gallinari and Tobias Harris adding 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Montrezl Harrell finished the game with 23 points off the bench and rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 18 after getting his third start of his career.
“I thought [Montrezl] was phenomenal,” added Rivers on his spark plug off the bench.
“I thought [Shai] was amazing tonight, I really did. He was fantastic with his size and shooting. We got a lot good performances from our guys.”
Kevin Durant finished with a triple-double, tailing 33 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for Golden State only before fouling out with 3:46 left in overtime.
Klay Thompson added 31 points, making 5 of 16 three-pointers and was not shy at all on his thoughts after game.
“Unfortunately we lost, but we’ll see them again at least three more times and that’ll be different,” said Thompson.
“They’re good, but they’re nothing special,” added Thompson on LA’s defense.
Fellow Splash Brother Stephen Curry was held out for a second consecutive game after he continues to recover from a left groin strain.
“Everything changes without Steph,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said on his 2-time MVP. “He’s one of the best offensive players in the history of the game so you take him out and they don’t have to worry about as much.”
The Warriors had their chances late in fourth quarter, as Golden State went on a 11-0 run, as Thompson scored their last eight points.
However, in overtime, Williams took over for Los Angeles, scoring 10 of the teams 15 points, proving to be just too much for a Durant less Warriors team in the final minutes.
“I thought four of them were tough calls,” added Kerr on Durant fouling out. “It was a tough night for Kevin. I just kept him out there because we’re obviously a little shorthanded without Steph.”
Thompson and Andre Iguodala were the only two Warriors who got on the board in the extra period, as the Clippers defeated Golden State 121-116 for the first time at Staples Center in nearly four-years.
Up next, the Clippers will put their 6-1 home record on the line, as they host the San Antonio Spurs Thursday November 15 at 7:30 p.m.