Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, center, dunks over Utah Jazz center Derrick Favors, right, as guard Donovan Mitchell watches during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, celebrates with guard Paul George after scoring and drawing a foul during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Utah Jazz Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert sits on the bench during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer celebrates during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic, left, dunks as Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson watches during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson reacts after being called for traveling during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series lagainst the Los Angeles Clippers Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, left, tries to pass while under pressure from Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson, left, shoots as Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson defends during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, left, shoots as Utah Jazz center Derrick Favors defends during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Utah Jazz forward Royce O’Neale, right, sits on the floor after committing a foul as referee Zach Zarba gestures during the second half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, right, gestures after a foul that was committed by the Utah Jazz as the Jazz’s guard Donovan Mitchell looks down during the second half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, right, talks with guard Paul George during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Utah Jazz Monday, June 14, 2021, in Los Angeles.
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard and Paul George know it takes the two of them to make things go right if the Los Angeles Clippers are going to advance beyond the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time. Both responded again on Monday night.
Leonard and George each scored 31 points Monday night to propel the Clippers to a 118-104 victory over the Utah Jazz and even their Western Conference second-round series at two games apiece.
“Myself and Kawhi got full trust in each other,” said George, who was playing in his 100th career postseason game. “It’s opportunities for us to score when we get switches, but then there’s opportunities to allow our teammates to be aggressive and make plays for them when we can attack our mismatches. I think it’s just a healthy mix.”
Leonard and George also became fifth duo since the merger with 30 points each in back-to-back playoff games.
“These guys understand that we need them to be the head of the snake and be super aggressive,” said Marcus Morris Sr., who had 24 points and was 5 of 6 on 3-pointers. “Those guys are our leaders. We go as they go and they understand that. Guys have just been picking up the slack behind them.”
In a game that Los Angeles dominated all night, Leonard provided the highlight with his dunk late in the first half. He got the ball just beyond the 3-point line, drove past Royce O’Neale in the lane and then slammed it over Derrick Favors to give the Clippers a 62-38 lead with 1:24 remaining in the second quarter.
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