Clippers aim to continue rise on road in meeting vs. Pistons

A long stretch of road games hasn't slowed down the Los Angeles Clippers.

They're 3-1 on their current seven-game road swing heading into their contest on Friday with the league's worst team, the Detroit Pistons.

Los Angeles has won 14 of its last 17 games, placing it within striking distance of the top spot in the Western Conference.

"We've got the right approach and the great mindset of every single game is similar to where, no matter the opponent, it's about us. Because we can be really, really good," Clippers guard James Harden said. "The chemistry and the communication aspect is the most important thing."

It also helps to have some of the league's most recognizable players healthy and contributing on a game-by-game basis.

Kawhi Leonard had 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals in a 125-109 victory over Washington on Wednesday. Leonard averaged 23.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.3 blocks during January.

Harden racked up 25 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals against the Wizards. He averaged 16.5 points, 9.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds last month.

Paul George, who sat out Wednesday's game due to groin soreness, averaged 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals in January.

The defense also has been solid during the upswing. On Wednesday, the Clippers allowed 35 first-quarter points. They took control by clamping down in the next two quarters, outscoring the Wizards 69-44.

"For our guys to lock in and give up 25 and 19 (points) in the second and third, I thought it was huge for us," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. "It allowed us to get the lead and it was kind of over after that."

The Pistons are coming off a 128-121 road loss to Cleveland on Wednesday. Turnovers were pivotal, as the Cavaliers scored 29 points off 19 Detroit giveaways.

"We have to be better," Pistons coach Monty Williams said. "Some of the turnovers, especially early in the game, they were just unforced turnovers. Throwing the ball without looking to see the defender, sometimes we just threw it straight to a Cleveland defender. Twenty-nine points off of turnovers, that's a lot of points and (if) you cut that in half, you win the game."

The Pistons had a two-point lead with three minutes remaining in regulation, but the Cavs outscored them 12-3 the remainder of the contest.

"Just did a rough job closing the game out," Detroit guard Cade Cunningham said. "Our second group, they did everything we needed them to do. They put us in a position to win. We just didn't close it out."

Cunningham had 19 points and seven assists while playing for just the second time in 11 games. He had been sidelined with a left knee strain. Veteran forward Danilo Gallinari had his best outing since being acquired from Washington last month, scoring 20 points off the bench.

Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell scored 20 of his 45 points in the final quarter. The Pistons were saddled with their 41st loss, guaranteeing them a non-winning season with 2 1/2 months remaining.

"We just didn't execute the coverage on Donovan," Williams said. "We're trying to get to blitz the pick-and-roll, because he was just coming off one or two dribbles and just raising up. That's on me to make sure that we know what we're supposed to be in (defensively)."

--Field Level Media