CLIPPERS OVERLEBRON-LESS LAKERS ARE LEARED BY LEONARD’S SECOND CAREER TRIPLE-DOUBLE 127–116
ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Clippers, who are on a seven-game road trip, have been playing well lately. They defeated the Lakers for the first time in their last three games this season.
The Clippers triumphed 127-116 on Tuesday night behind the play of James Harden, who had 23 points and 10 assists, and Kawhi Leonard, who had his second career triple-double. They have won 11 of 13 games and three straight.
Leonard stated, “Everyone helped us win.” “We have to knock down shots when they’re open, and we did that tonight.”
Leonard finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, three of which were crucial in the fourth quarter as the Clippers were hanging on for a slim victory. There were 33 assists for the team.
For the entire night, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue described Leonard’s attackers as “coming with fire, trying to get it out of his hands.”
LeBron James was on the bench while D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers with 27 points, 10 assists, and Anthony Davis with 26 points and 12 rebounds.
About James, Leonard remarked, “There’s a different dynamic with him not being out there.” “You saw guys step up and make big shots for him when they came in.”
James experiences daily pain in his left ankle. Big man Ivica Zubac, who has been sidelined for at least a month due to a right calf issue, was not available for the Clippers.
The Lakers fell below.500 with the fourth straight road defeat, 22–23. Only once, early in the game, did they lead by a single point.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated, “Like I told them just now, a lot of good things we did during this game.”
Early in the fourth, the Lakers twice came within two points. After passing to Paul George for a layup, Leonard found Norman Powell for a corner 3-pointer. Powell added another basket, and Leonard added two more free throws to end a 9-0 run that put the Clippers ahead 119-108. Powell scored 17 points in the end.
Late in the game, George was troubled by a groin strain on his left side. Along with four of the Clippers’ fourteen turnovers, he scored 17 points.
After tumbling down at mid-court in the fourth quarter, Lakers forward Cam Reddish hobbled off the floor, hardly able to bear any weight on his right leg.
In the third, the Lakers took turns attacking the hoop or making 3-pointers. Russell scored the team’s opening seven baskets. After making consecutive 3-pointers, he and Austin Reaves helped the Lakers close the gap to 92-88.
Leonard remarked, “They’re a good transition team, and we let them play to their strengths.” “We simply need to improve in that area.”
After a goaltending call on Rui Hachimura, Russell Westbrook sandwiched 3-pointers, and Amir Coffey’s three put the Clippers ahead 106-97 heading into the fourth quarter. Westbrook scored 16 points in the end.
The Clippers led 77-64 at halftime after shooting 66% from the field in the first half and pulling away with a 15-9 run. In the first half, when both sides scored on almost every possession, Leonard converted all seven of his field goals.
When Westbrook made a 3-pointer in the opening quarter, his right shoe was missing.
