NBA Playoffs: Spurs smother Clippers in Game 3 rout

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SAN ANTONIO -- Kawhi Leonard had a postseason career-high 32 points and the San Antonio Spurs never trailed in dominating the Los Angeles Clippers 100-73 on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round series.

The Clippers scored a franchise postseason low and their 11 points in the third were their fewest in any quarter this season.

Boris Diaw had 15 points and Danny Green added 11 for San Antonio, which led by as many as 37 points after two tense games in Los Angeles.

Tim Duncan was held to four points on 2-for-6 shooting but his production wasn't needed with Leonard displaying his offensive game a day after being named Defensive Player of the Year.

Blake Griffin had 14 points and 10 rebounds and DeAndre Jordan added 10 points for the Clippers.

Game 4 is Sunday in San Antonio (see full recap).

Harden scores 42 in Rockets' win
DALLAS -- James Harden scored a playoff career-high 42 points, Dwight Howard had his postseason best with 26 rebounds and the Houston Rockets beat the Dallas Mavericks 130-128 on Friday night for a 3-0 lead in their first-round series.

The MVP candidate played a dominating role after deferring to Howard and role players in the first two wins, putting the Rockets on the verge of their first playoff series victory since Howard joined Harden two years ago.

The high-scoring game was Dallas' first without effectively banished point guard Rajon Rondo, and Monta Ellis had a playoff career-high 34 points to match Dirk Nowitzki.

But Ellis missed a potential tying jumper just before the buzzer, leaving Dallas to face a fourth straight year without winning a postseason series since taking the franchise's first championship (see full recap).

Wizards push Raptors to brink
WASHINGTON -- John Wall drew choruses of "M-V-P!" from the crowd by producing 19 points and 15 assists, 37-year-old Paul Pierce hit two key late 3-pointers, and the Washington Wizards closed in on a first-round playoff sweep by beating the Toronto Raptors 106-99 on Friday night.

Six Wizards scored in double figures, including Marcin Gortat, who had 24 points and 13 rebounds. Pierce's 18 points were highlighted by one 3 that capped a 10-2 run with 2 minutes left, and another with 16.3 seconds remaining after Toronto got within three points.

After the second, Pierce turned to the stands with arms aloft, nodded and yelled, "That's why I'm here!"

The Wizards lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series 3-0 and can end it Sunday, when they host Game 4.

No team has overcome a 3-0 deficit to win an NBA postseason series (see full recap).

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