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Harden outduels former teammate as Clippers even series
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball as Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) defends during the first half during Game 4 of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

James Harden outduels former teammate as Clippers even series

In the last five minutes of Game 4, two former Brooklyn Nets teammates had a scoring duel. James Harden won.

Harden scored 13 of his 33 points in the final five minutes of the game as the Clippers held on to tie their first-round series with the Dallas Mavericks, 2-2. 

He did his damage from float range, nailing five shots from five-to-10 feet of the basket, including a huge and-one to give the Clippers a late two-possession lead.

At the same time, Kyrie Irving, who helped recruit Harden to join him and Kevin Durant on the Nets, caught fire down the stretch as well. He scored 40 points in the game, with 14 coming in the fourth quarter and nine of them in the final five minutes.

Ultimately The Beard was too much for Uncle Drew, with Harden and George combining for 66 points, nearly matching Doncic and Irving's 69 combined. 

But even with the Clippers' short bench with Kawhi Leonard out, Los Angeles got 22 bench points to Dallas' 13. And bigger than that, they got more from their old Net than Dallas did at the biggest moment.

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