No coach, no problem as Clippers rise up to beat NBA-leading Cavaliers

The test for the Clippers came from the team many consider the best in the NBA, the team many consider a title contender, the team with the best record in the league, three All-Stars and an All-Star coach.

The test for the Clippers came from the team that’s second in scoring (122.5 points), second in field-goal percentage (49.2), first in three-point shooting percentage (38.8) and has seven players averaging double-digit points.

That’s what the Clippers were up against when they faced the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Intuit Dome on Tuesday night, and they had to do it without coach Tyronn Lue, who missed the game because of recurring back pain.

The Clippers passed that test, proving during a 132-119 win that this tough, gritty team can play with and beat the best.

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They won their fourth straight game behind the strength from Ivica Zubac’s powerful double-double of 29 points and 20 rebounds on his 28th birthday.

“We’re not trying to get statement wins,” Zubac said. “We’re just trying to get wins, get as many wins as we can. We can play against anyone when we’re at our best, and I think we showed that tonight. That’s the best team in the league right there, best record in the league.”

They won it behind Kawhi Leonard’s efficient 33 points on 12-for-18 shooting, including five for six from three-point range, and behind James Harden’s 22 points and nine assists that saw the Clippers win their seventh game in their past eight outings.

“Like I said before, we need these wins coming down the stretch right now,” Leonard said. “It’s giving you a playoff atmosphere, especially with the crowd being engaged the whole time.”