Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press
It could perchance perchance well perchance be demanding to script the next initiate for the new period of Los Angeles Clippers basketball than Tuesday’s consequence.
The Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 116-109 in their season opener at Staples Center in head coach Ty Lue’s first sport in his new notify. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard led the very best contrivance for the victors, who played spoiler to the Pink and Gold on the identical night time they renowned final season’s championship.
LeBron James spearheaded the losing effort for the Lakers, who split their four games against the Clippers final season.
Famous Participant Stats
- Paul George, F, LAC: 33 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 13-of-18 FG, 5-of-8 3PT
- Kawhi Leonard, F, LAC: 26 PTS, 3 AST, 2 STL
- Serge Ibaka, C, LAC: 15 PTS, 6 REB
- LeBron James, F, LAL: 22 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST
- Anthony Davis, F, LAL: 18 PTS, 7 REB
- Dennis Schroder, G, LAL: 14 PTS, 12 REB, 8 AST
PG-13 Earns Some Redemption, Leads Clips to Obtain
It could perchance perchance well perchance moreover no longer seem completely horny, however the Clippers are going to be outlined by final season’s postseason failure until they are able to alternate the anecdote in the playoffs.
After all, they were unable to blueprint a extremely anticipated Western Convention Finals showdown with the Lakers because they blew a 3-1 lead in the 2nd spherical to the Denver Nuggets. That cleared the very best contrivance for the Pink and Gold to prevail in the NBA Finals without remarkable of a project and led to an offseason where the Clippers parted ideas with head coach Doc Rivers.
They moreover revamped the roster, losing Montrezl Harrell, Landry Shamet and JaMychal Inexperienced but bringing in Serge Ibaka, Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard to abolish more depth around Leonard and George.
That depth and the length all over the ground change into at as soon as apparent, because the net page visitors jumped out to a 39-19 lead in the first quarter. Eight various Clippers scored, and the protection swarmed the Lakers’ outdoors shooters and darted into passing lanes.
All that momentum quick venerable, though, because the Lakers chanced on their rhythm. The Clippers managed most tantalizing 17 factors in the 2nd quarter with Leonard struggling from the self-discipline and George dealing with turnover issues.
It gave the impact like a cruel shaggy dog epic for the Clippers to maintain a commanding lead factual to observe it proceed in the season opener in discovering it irresistible did correct thru their playoff collapse against the Nuggets, but George—who change into extensively criticized for his play in the postseason—had various solutions.
Within the closing two minutes of the third quarter, he scored an and-1, drilled a pull-up shot in the lane, connected on a 3-pointer and hit a mid-range jumper to push the lead relieve to 11. The resurgence persevered in the fourth quarter for the six-time All-Star, who remained aggressive by attacking the lane and firing from outdoors.
George’s play change into a welcome signal for the Clippers pondering he change into amongst the most tantalizing culprits for his or her playoff loss. If he plays like he did down the stretch Tuesday, they’ll as soon as again be championship contenders.
Lakers Drop Instant on Identical Evening as Ring Ceremony
Or no longer it is arduous responsible the Lakers if their focal point change into no longer exactly on the game at tip-off.
They performed their NBA championship bustle decrease than three months previously, had microscopic leisure in a shortened offseason and started the night time by celebrating the title. A abnormal-season matchup—even against the rival Clippers—factual would no longer accumulate the identical stakes because the final time they were on the main stage.
They started accordingly and fell on the relieve of by as many as 22 factors.
There could perchance perchance be no blowout on ring night time, as James connected on a pair of photos from the outdoors, Anthony Davis attacked on the blocks, Harrell equipped a spark off the bench against his light team and Dennis Schroder stuffed the stat sheet on his new squad.
It change into seriously of a worrisome signal for the Clippers and the total league that the Lakers perceived to be going thru the motions and were peaceful within a single point by the third quarter when LeBron unleashed a monster dunk and drilled a deep three.
Taking over an completely engaged Lakers with a more strong supporting forged with Harrell, Schroder and Marc Gasol will likely be rather the daunting project come playoff time, and they hinted at that most likely for stretches while chipping away on the lead.
Restful, your total Lakers equipped change into hints, as James grew to change into his ankle in the fourth quarter and the home team could perchance perchance no longer match the Clippers’ vitality.
A minimal of the Lakers can use solace shining they started final season with a loss to their Los Angeles opponents as effectively. Things peaceful grew to change into out rather effectively for them.
What’s Next?
Both teams are in action Friday when the Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks and the Clippers are on the Denver Nuggets.
