![\"NBA:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27478829.jpg\")
Oct 31, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball against New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (22) in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nThe Los Angeles Clippers are looking to stay perfect at home in the early part of the season when they receive a visit from the Miami Heat on Monday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Clippers improved to 3-0 in their own building with a 126-124 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Heat, in turn, will enter off a 130-120 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night in their first of a back-to-back in Southern California.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Kawhi Leonard gave the Clippers their victory over the Pelicans when he fired off a pump-fake 20-foot jumper at the buzzer to break a late tie. Leonard finished with a season-high 34 points as he shot 11 of 16 (68.8%) from the floor and was 5 of 8 from 3-point range.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n James Harden added 24 points for Los Angeles after going 4 of 13 from 3-point range, while producing a season-best 14 assists.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n While the victory was satisfying, the Clippers were just as focused on squandering a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in a game they led by as many as 17 points. New Orleans shot 54.2% in the fourth quarter while scoring 40 points, eight more than Los Angeles had in the period on 61.1% shooting.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “I mean that’s one of the things we gotta get better at,” Leonard said about late-game defense. “We gotta be able to hold those leads. It shouldn’t come down to the last shot.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Said Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue: “Just some breakdowns defensively. … And then offensively just taking care of the basketball, not turning the ball over so they can get out in transition and get easy baskets, especially down the stretch.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n The Heat pride themselves on easy baskets as they play short-handed early in the season. One of the top shooting teams in the NBA, Miami was 51.2% from the floor in the loss to the Lakers. They had 20 fast-break points and 66 points in the paint.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Los Angeles-area native Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored a season-high 31 points off the bench against the Lakers.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Miami still is awaiting the season debut of Tyler Herro (ankle), while Norman Powell (groin) has missed the past three games.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Powell could be in line to return to the court Monday against his former team. Powell, who played the previous three-plus seasons with the Clippers, was traded to the Heat in the offseason after thinking he was close to signing an extension to stay in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n If he plays Tuesday, it seems clear he will look to make a statement.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “I think it (stinks),” Powell said of the trade, according to the Miami Herald.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “I’d rather not say anything and just see what happens (on the court in L.A). Nothing is forever. Nothing is permanent until the ink is signed (on a potential contract extension), but yeah, it is what it is.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Jaquez, a former UCLA standout like Powell, was 11 of 16 from the floor and went 9 of 13 from the free-throw line. Bam Adebayo and Pelle Larsson each scored 17 points with Adebayo adding eight rebounds.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Heat trailed by as many as 18 against the Lakers before pulling within two points early in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n