Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, center, shoots as Clippers guard Jordan Miller, and guard Kris Dunn defend during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, takes a 3-point shot as Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac dunks in front of the Portland Trail Blazers’ Shaedon Sharpe during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac dunks in front of the Portland Trail Blazers’ Shaedon Sharpe during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, dunks as Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, left, shoots as Clippers guard Norman Powell defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers star James Harden gets to the basket for a layup during the first half of their NBA Cup game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker, left, tries to shoot as Clippers center Mo Bamba defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers star James Harden, left, reacts after losing control of the ball while being defended by the Portland Trail Blazers’ Shaedon Sharpe during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Clippers star James Harden reacts to a foul call during the first half of their NBA Cup game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr., left, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton, center, shoots as Clippers guard James Harden, left, and center Ivica Zubac defend during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell dunks in front of the Portland Trail Blazers’ Toumani Camara during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac shoots as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Portland Trail Blazers’ Anfernee Simons (1) drives to the basket as the Clippers’ Kris Dunn (8) and Jordan Miller (11) defend during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. dunks during the first half of their NBA Cup game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Portland Trail Blazers’ Dalano Banton questions a call by referee Sha’Rae Mitchell during the first half of their NBA Cup game against the Clippers on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, right, celebrates with forward Derrick Jones Jr. after hitting a 3-point shot during the first half of their NBA Cup game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Powell scored a game-high 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting (5 for 7 from 3-point range) in a 127-105 win. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, center, blocks the shot of Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr., left, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, right, shoots as Clippers center Mo Bamba defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr., left, dunks in front of Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr., center, dunks in front of Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, left, and guard Shaedon Sharpe defend during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, left, shoots as Clippers center Mo Bamba defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, top, and Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton reach for a rebound during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. soars to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Clippers star James Harden reacts to a foul call during the first half of their NBA Cup game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, right, shoots as Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers forward Kai Jones, right, blocks the shot of Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Portland Trail Blazers’ Shaedon Sharpe, left, drives to the basket as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, left, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, drives toward the basket as Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe defends during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton, left, passes the ball while under pressure from Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Jordan Miller, center, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton, left, and forward Deni Avdija defend during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton, right, shoots as Clippers center Mo Bamba defends during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr., left, goes up for a dunk as Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija defends during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups calls a play from the sideline during the second half of their NBA Cup game against the Clippers on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton, right, shoots as Clippers center Mo Bamba defends during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Portland Trail Blazers’ Dalano Banton looks on during the second half of their NBA Cup game against the Clippers on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Jordan Miller, left, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers guard Rayan Rupert defends during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, right, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker, left, shoots as Clippers center Mo Bamba defends during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Portland Trail Blazers’ Toumani Camara, left, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Clippers star James Harden gestures during the second half of their NBA Cup game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of their NBA Cup game on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
INGLEWOOD — On the final night of NBA Cup group play, the Clippers needed a laundry list of things to happen if they were going to advance to the knockout round. Win by a certain number of points. Cover point differentials, and hope the Utah Jazz upset the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It was a lot to think about heading into Tuesday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, however, was focused on only one thing – winning. And he didn’t care if it was by 24 points or one point.
“For me, it’s just about getting a win. That’s the most important thing for me,” Lue said
Forget clinging to slim hopes for the in-season tournament, the Clippers got their ninth consecutive victory at the Intuit Dome, a 127-105 win against the Blazers. It also is their longest winning streak (10 games) since 2019.
The victory also put the Clippers (14-9) into fifth place in the Western Conference, a half-game behind the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, both at 14-8.
“I thought we played good offensively. I thought we really had the defense and made the right plays,” Lue said, pointing to their 29 assists. “But (Portland coach) Chauncey (Billups) got this team playing hard. They’re picking up the full quarter of pressure and for us to be able handle pressure getting out only 14 turnovers, 29 assists, that was good for us.
“Offensively, I thought we did some good things. I thought defensively, we got some breakdowns (but) we’re playing good offense. You just can’t let it dictate your defense and just let your guard down. I thought tonight we wasn’t really good defensively.”
The Clippers were officially eliminated from NBA Cup contention 30 minutes before tipoff, when the Thunder defeated the Jazz in an earlier game. For the Clippers to have had a chance, they needed the Thunder to lose and they still would have needed to beat the Blazers by at least 24 points.
Unlike so many of their games this season, the Clippers didn’t need a last-second shot or hero play down the stretch. They got all they needed to avenge an earlier one-point loss to Portland from their one-two scoring punch of James Harden and Norman Powell.
Harden, who had 23 points, surpassed Paul Pierce for sole possession of 17th place on the NBA’s career scoring list. The nine-time All-Star also had seven assists and one rebound.
“James Harden presents a lot of problems offensively,” Billups said before the game, adding that the point guard is playing “like he did five or six years ago.”
Powell, in his second game back from a hamstring injury, scored a game-high 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting (5 for 7 from 3-point range) to go with four rebounds and five assists. He scored 14 of the Clippers’ first 24 points to set the tone early.
Powell, who missed six games, doesn’t appear to have lost his edge. He was averaging more than 23.8 points before his injury and has posted 30 and 28 points in his past two games.
Powell said hard work and consistency in training are keys.
“Just staying with it, doing the controlled workouts, just staying ready. That’s really it,” he said.
Amir Coffey went 5 for 7 from 3-point range and added 19 points, while Derrick Jones Jr. scored 15 and Jordan Miller had 14 as the Clippers shot 55.3% overall and 19 for 37 (51.4%) from 3-point range en route to a season-high point total.
Center Deandre Ayton led the Trail Blazers with 16 points and three rebounds and fellow big man Deni Avdija had 15 points.
After a tight third quarter, the Clippers took control of the game, stretching their lead to 22 as the reserves closed out the final minutes. Both teams finished 2-2 in group play.
The Clippers ended the first half on a 14-8 run to take a 63-58 lead into intermission. The game, which started with the Clippers building an early 11-point advantage, became uncomfortable as the Blazers got warmed up and closed the gap to three by the end of the first quarter.
They took their first lead (40-38) on a layup by Jabari Walker at the 9:42 mark of the second quarter. Behind the strong play of their two big men – Ayton and Avdija – the Blazers pushed the Clippers for the next several minutes until the Clippers regained control.
Terance Mann went to the Clippers’ locker room with trainer Jasen Powell in the third quarter with a left finger injury and didn’t return. It was revealed after the game that Mann fractured his middle finger when Jerami Grant stole the ball from him at midcourt and dunked it.
The Blazers were without Scoot Henderson, who was listed as questionable with a left quadriceps contusion.
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