LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Clippers coach Doc Rivers rested Kawhi Leonard and sat Paul George for the final five minutes following Los Angeles’ plan to restrict playing time.

They still pulled out a very big win over the Portland Trail Blazers when All-Star Damian Lillard missed a couple free throws late.

”We still feel we should we win regardless of who’s in the game,” George said. ”We still have a high expectation. I think we showed it, what we’re capable of, not having all our guys on the floor at one time.”

Rodney McGruder hit a 3-pointer with 26.5 seconds left, and the Clippers beat the Trail Blazers 122-117 on Saturday.

Portland had a chance to ensure a play-in for the Western Conference’s final playoff berth and eliminate Sacramento with a win. The Trail Blazers led much of the game, but the NBA’s top-scoring team inside the bubble was outscored 12-2