Spurs smash Clippers to take 2-1 play-off series lead

Kawhi Leonard was handed the NBA defensive player of the year award and then scored a career-best 32 points along with three steals as the Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Clippers to take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

Leonard, MVP of the 2014 NBA Finals after the Spurs won their fifth title, had 13 points in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers by two.

Spurs point guard Tony Parker returned to the lineup after leaving Game Two in with tightness in his right Achilles. He scored six points.

The Clippers suffered their worst-ever playoff defeat. Forward Blake Griffin and guard Chris Paul scored 14 and 10 points, respectively.

- - -

James Harden scored a career-playoff-high 42 points and the Houston Rockets withstood Dallas' desperate punch to beat the Mavericks and take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

The Rockets can close out the best-of-seven playoff series and move on to the Western Conference semifinals with a victory Sunday night back in Dallas.

Houston trailed by 13 in the first half before storming back behind Harden who knocked down a jumper with 13 seconds left that helped nail down the win.

Rockets center Dwight Howard pulled down a playoff career-best 26 rebounds and scored 13 points.

Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis each scored 34 for Dallas who played without Chandler Parsons (back) and point guard Rajon Rondo, out indefinitely.

- - -

Marcin Gortat scored 24 points and guard John Wall had 19 points and 15 assists as the Washington Wizards downed the Toronto Raptors for a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series.

Six Wizards scored in double figures, including forward Paul Pierce with 18 points on four three-pointers.

One of two lower seeds to win on the road in the postseason, Washington claimed both Game 1 and 2 in Toronto. The Wizards have never led a series 3-0 in franchise history. They can close out the first-round series Sunday in Washington.

Toronto's DeMar DeRozan started 8 of 10 from the field and scored 20 of his 32 points in the first quarter.