Clippers Beat Spurs: Tie Series at 2-2

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 114-105, in Game 4 to tie the series Sunday in Texas.

After a demoralizing loss in Game Three, the Clippers came out ready to compete in Game Four. The Spurs seemed to counter every punch the Clippers threw early, as the two teams played an entertaining first half in San Antonio.

In the first quarter, Spurs point guard Tony Parker came out aggressive and scored eight points to match teammate Kawhi Leonard with game-high honors after 12 minutes. While the Spurs managed to finish the quarter level with the Clippers at 25 points, the visitors looked like the better team early on.

Ten of the Clippers' first 12 baskets were assisted, and six different players had scored at least one bucket. Blake Griffin led the visitors with six points and four assists at that point, and the second quarter would continue to provide intense playoffs basketball.

At halftime, the Clippers took a four-point lead into the locker room. With Chris Paul and J.J. Redick leading the way with 12 points apiece, the Clippers should have commanded a larger lead, but the Spurs' bench came into the ball game and made an instant impact.

Off the bench, Patty Mills, Boris Diaw and Manu Ginobili combined for 24 first-half points, which trumped the Clippers bench by 11 points. LA's bench has been a cause for concern throughout the season and postseason, but backup guard Austin Rivers hit three of four shots for seven points in the first half. Even with Rivers on fire, the Spurs' reserves edged the Clippers' reserves in the first half.

In the third quarter, the Spurs would continue to get production from Mills off the bench, as the speedy Australian would reach 12 points in his first 11 minutes on the court. Countering Mills for the Clippers, Rivers would continue to hit shots and tabbed 11 points in his first 10 minutes on the court.

For the starters, Leonard followed up on his 32-point performance in Game Three with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists through the first three quarters of Game Four. Paul, though, would shepherd his team through the Spurs' third quarter rally. The 29-year-old Clippers star point guard led all scorers with 24 points through three quarters--12 of which came in the third period. Griffin's 10 points in the period also played a part, as the Clippers managed to quickly erase the Spurs' three-point edge.

Entering the fourth quarter, the Clippers led by five points, 81-76. Almost immediately, that lead would grow to 13 points, as Rivers continued to play above his head in a pressure situation on the road. Also, Jamal Crawford hit two of his first three shots to start the final quarter to further add to the Clippers' bench impact.

The defending champions at home, however, would not roll over. With seven minutes to play in the game, the Spurs again only trailed by five points. Credit to the visitors, they remained resolute and extended that lead back to 11 points with about four and a half minutes remaining in the contest.

Although the Spurs would provide a couple scares, the Clippers kept hold of their lead down the stretch. Paul finished with 34 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Griffin added 20 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists, but Rivers' 16 points on seven of eight shooting off the bench stood out as the difference when the final buzzer sounded.

"This was a total team effort. Game ball goes to Austin Rivers," Paul told ABC cameras after the game.

Tim Duncan, who turned 39 years old on Saturday, finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals. Leonard 26 points, five assists and seven rebounds in the losing effort.

Game Five will be at Staples Center on Tuesday night.