Paul George delivers in the clutch as LA Clippers rally for comeback win over Portland Trail Blazers

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Paul George is on a roll right now!

The LA Clippers star turned in another monster performance, recording 33 points, 11 rebounds and two steals as the LA Clippers made it nine wins from their past 10 games. 

After trailing by five points with 1:03 remaining, George scored the Clippers' final six points, including the game-sealing free throws to snatch a 113-112 win.

PG stamps his authority

No Kawhi Leonard, no problem. 

In a game that featured 19 lead changes and 13 ties, the game was begging for someone to take over and Paul George answered the call, scoring 10 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter including six in the final minute. 

Tonight marked his sixth 30+ point performance in his last seven games as he continues to find form at the right time in the lead-up to the postseason. 

“PG was special tonight,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.

While shouldering the offensive load, George was getting it done on both ends, holding the Blazers to 5-of-17 as the primary defender tonight, limiting Blazers guards CJ McCollum and Norman Powell to 2-of-9, per ESPN Stats& Info.

The Clippers have been on a roll of late, despite being without starters Kawhi Leonard, Serge Ibaka and Patrick Beverley, thanks largely to the dominance of George, who deserves credit for the way he's stepped up for his team.

McCollum nearly wins it

In the absence of Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum took the reigns of the Blazers offence and very nearly stole the W, missing a 14-foot pullup at the buzzer.

He was everywhere down the stretch and after the Clippers cut the deficit to 109-107 off an Ivica Zubac layup, McCollum responded with a 3-pointer to put the Blazers in front by five. 

McCollum led the way for Portland with a team-high 28 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals, while norm Powell added 23 points and Carmelo Anthony 18, including this vintage bucket in the fourth. 

Cousins making strides

DeMarcus Cousins, who is on his second 10-day contract with the Clippers, turned in his best performance yet, recording 11 points and six rebounds on 4-of-6 shooting.

The veteran big man played seven of his 13 minutes in the fourth quarter and provided valuable playmaking and defence, looking more and more comfortable in the rotation with each passing game. 

"We're getting flashes of vintage Boogie," George said post-game.

"what will be most impressive about his game is that he automatically draws double teams. He's instant offence for us, dump the ball down there for him and he's a playmaker."

Rondo's got dimes

Rajon Rondo was doing what he does best against the Blazers, controlling the flow of the offence, setting up his teammates and making plays on his way to nine points, six rebounds and a game-high seven assists in just 23 minutes on court. 

His full range of passing was on display, with a couple of highlight-reel dimes. Firstly, this lob to George for the alley-oop flush. 

The pick of the bunch was this baseline dime behind the Blazers defence, spotting George's cut to the basket before everyone, to serve up an easy bucket. 

Blazers on the mend

Damian Lillard, who missed his third straight game with a hamstring injury is expected to be back in the lineup for the Blazers' next game, per Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

Big man Jusuf Nurkic was held out of tonight's game for knee pain management, the first game of a back-to-back. He is also expected to be back to face the Nuggets. 

What's next?

The Clippers (41-19) will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday (ET), while the Portland Trail Blazers, who have lost seven of their past 10 games, will continue their four-game homestand when they host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

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Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.