Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points, leading the host Los Angeles Clippers to a 112-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the season-opener at the Staples Center.
Lebron James (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers in the LA derby on opening night of the 2019/20 NBA season. Photo: AFP
Lou Williams added 21 points and Montrezl Harrell delivered 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Clippers. They helped the Clippers' bench outscore the Lakers' reserves 60-19.
Danny Green led the Lakers with 28 points by hitting 10 of his 14 field-goal attempts, including 7 of 9 on 3-pointers. Anthony Davis scored 25 points and pulled down 10 boards, while LeBron James had 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
A 19-7 run to open the fourth helped the Clippers clinch the win and hold off the Lakers down the stretch.
The Clippers, sparked by an 11-1 run midway through the second quarter, led 62-54 at the break behind Leonard's 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Williams added 13 first-half points as the Clippers outscored the Lakers 40-29 in the second quarter.
Davis scored 18 points and James had 14 in the first half. The Clippers converted 56.1 percent of their shots from the floor compared to 47.4 percent for the Lakers. Overall, the Clippers outshot the Lakers 51.9 percent to 43.5 percent.
In the third, the Clippers increased the lead to 70-56 after a 3-pointer by Patrick Patterson at 9:56. But the Lakers answered with a 10-2 surge to pull to within six after a dunk by James less than three minutes later.
A 15-0 run gave the Lakers an 85-82 advantage after a 3-pointer by Green, who scored 18 points in the third. JaMychal Green's trey tied the score heading into the fourth.
The Lakers roared to a 13-2 lead after a bucket by Davis less than four minutes into the game. However, the Clippers rallied, cutting the deficit to 25-22 at the end of the quarter.
Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo missed the contest with a sore calf.
The two clubs won't meet again until Christmas Day.
Meanwhile Fred VanVleet scored a career-best 34 points, including a crucial 3-pointer in overtime, as the NBA champion Toronto Raptors opened the season with a 130-122 victory over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.
Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet puts up a shot against the New Orleans Pelicans on the opening night of the 2019/20 NBA season. Photo: AFP
Toronto's Pascal Siakam also scored 34 points and grabbed 18 rebounds before fouling out with 50.1 seconds left in regulation.
The Raptors, who were presented with their championship rings in a ceremony before the game, tied the game at 117 on Kyle Lowry's two free throws with 29.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime.
Lowry added 22 points, Serge Ibaka had 13 points and OG Anunoby 11 for Toronto.
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 22 points. JJ Redick added 16 points, and Josh Hart had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Nicolo Melli had 14 points and Jrue Holiday 13 for New Orleans, which is without first overall draft pick Zion Williams (knee surgery).
Lowry's two free throws with 2:06 left in OT restored Toronto's two-point lead. VanVleet then hit a corner 3-pointer, and the Raptors led 127-122 with 1:28 to play. Lowry added a 3-pointer with 56.7 seconds to go.
-Reuters
