Caris LeVert had 27 points and 13 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets used the best-shooting quarter in the NBA this season to send them on their way to a 129-120 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.
Joe Harris added 25 points — 23 in the first half — for the Nets, who clinched seventh place in the Eastern Conference and a first-round playoff matchup with the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors. Tyler Johnson scored 21 as Brooklyn improved to 4-2 in the restart.
The Nets shot 85.7% (18 of 21) from the field in the first quarter, racing to a 21-point lead. The Clippers battled back to tie it in the third quarter but the Nets broke it open again early in the fourth.
Kawhi Leonard scored 39 points for the Clippers, who rested Paul George and had their lead over Denver for the No. 2 seed in the West trimmed to one game. They play the Nuggets on Wednesday in their next game.
A night after rallying to beat Portland, Los Angeles had no energy at the start. Allen, Harris and LeVert, meanwhile, all were listed as doubtful a day earlier but looked as good as ever Sunday.
NEW YORK SPORTS THIS WEEK 