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SPORTS Thursday 24 OcTOber 2019

Leonard leads Clippers over LeBron and Lakers 112-102

By BETH HARRIS in the highest-scoring de- WARNING FANS
AP Sports Writer but by a Laker in franchise As part of the NBA's crack-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi history. down on fan behavior this
Leonard hit seven straight Leonard got it done with- season, cards carrying a
shots in one stretch, creat- out his personal recruit Paul message from league se-
ing a run for the Clippers George, sidelined indefi- curity were on seats locat-
that his new teammates nitely while rehabbing from ed courtside and the first
quickly joined. a pair of offseason shoulder couple rows back. They
"It's a great sign of lead- surgeries. reminded that every fan
ership," coach Doc Riv- "It's just the first game of the is required to comply with
ers said. "He talks with his season, so it's going to take the league's fan code of
game." the season and mistakes conduct and anyone who
Leonard began a new ca- and success to get us on acts inappropriately may
reer chapter Tuesday night, the same page," Leonard be subject to ejection
scoring 30 points to go with said. and-or revocation of their
a strong bench effort in a Wearing a black tuxedo tickets. The public address
112-102 victory over LeBron jacket and bow tie, George Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis, top, dunks against the Los announcer reminded fans
James and the Lakers in received a mixed reaction Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball before both halves about
the teams' season opener. when introduced in the game Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Los Angeles. minding their manners.
Leonard chose the Clippers playoff-like atmosphere at Associated Press LEONARD'S GREETING
because he wanted to Staples Center, where the "That was just very careless game. James scored over Leonard took to the mic to
come home and his family Clippers were the home and they capitalized off of Leonard and he later heard welcome Clippers fans to
was on hand. team for the first of four it," James said. "MVP! MVP!" chants while the game. He had to raise
"All those emotions went meetings in the arena the With 4 ½ minutes left, Lakers sinking his first free throws of his usually low voice to be
through me again," he said. teams share. fans chanted "Let's go, Lak- the season. heard over the din, a mix of
Lou Williams added 21 "Their fans were very loud ers! Let's go, Lakers!" while The Lakers shot 53% from cheers from Clippers fans
points and Montrezl Harrell early and I thought our fans others hit the exits. the floor in the first quarter, and boos from Lakers fans.
had 17 off the bench when took over from that point "The NBA's back and every- while the Clippers missed "It's going to be a great sea-
the Clippers began their on," Rivers said. "It's great one's trying to have the nar- shots and had a basket by son," Leonard said. "We're
50th season overall and for the city." rative of it's a rivalry game Williams taken away when going to play hard every
36th in Los Angeles as the The Clippers' reserves out- and it's a huge test," James the Lakers challenged a night. Let's get it going."
once unlikely but now fa- scored the Lakers' bench, said, "but I think both teams foul call on Howard. STARRY NIGHT
vorites to win the franchise's 60-19. Last season, Williams are not where they want to The rivalry was on early Famous faces came out,
first NBA championship. and Harrell were the NBA's be. We have a lot of room with a male fan shouting including Kate Hudson,
"It's one of 82 (games)," Riv- highest-scoring reserve to improve." "Go Lakers!" during the na- Angela Bassett, Jeff Garlin,
ers said. "Next question." duo, and they picked up The Lakers erased a tional anthem, drawing big and athletes Lisa Leslie and
Leonard won his second where they left off. 14-point deficit in the third, cheers while Clipper fans Diana Taurasi of the WNBA,
NBA title last season in To- "This bench is going to be led by Danny Green's 18 booed. Joc Pederson of the Dodg-
ronto. better this year than even points. He capped a 15-0 "It was everything I expect- ers and soccer player Alex
The Lakers showed off their last year," Rivers said. run with his fifth 3-pointer ed," Davis said. "Very an- Morgan. Halsey performed
new 1-2 punch of James It came down to the fourth before JaMychal Green's ticipated game and it was outdoors at LA Live before
and Anthony Davis. Davis quarter, and the Clippers 3-pointer pulled the Clip- fun." the game and Ty Dolla $ign
scored 25 points, making dominated. pers into an 85-all tie head- TIP-INS rapped at halftime.
9 of 14 free throws, and Tied 85-all, they opened ing into the fourth. Lakers: They fell to 43-29 all- UP NEXT
James had 18. with a 19-7 run to go up The Clippers outscored the time in season openers. ... Lakers: Return to Staples
"For us, we're both aggres- 104-92. Five different play- Lakers 40-29 in the second G Rajon Rondo (sore right Center as the home team
sive," Davis said. "Some- ers scored and Leonard as- quarter, buoyed by 16 calf) sat out. Friday against Utah. The
times we kind of miss each sisted on Maurice Harkless' points from Leonard. He Clippers: They improved to Lakers are 25-12 all-time
other. I missed him a couple 3-pointer. made seven straight shots 25-25 in openers all-time, against the Jazz at home.
times and he missed me, so James had three of the on a variety of moves — but still trail the Lakers 3-2 Clippers: Travel to Golden
just trying to figure it out." Lakers' six turnovers in the pullups, fadeaways, a cut- when the teams meet in a State on Thursday to open
Danny Green outscored fourth, when Harkless and ting dunk. season opener. ... G Rod- the Chase Center in San
them both with 28 points, Leonard each blocked The Lakers raced to a 13-2 ney McGruder (right ankle Francisco in another block-
including seven 3-pointers, shots by Dwight Howard. lead, their largest of the sprain) missed the game. buster matchup.q