Page 19 - AT

A19
SPORTS Saturday 2 November 2019

Clippers beat Spurs

as Leonard scored 38

against former team

By JOE REEDY reer. He took a career high
AP Sports Writer 32 shots.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gregg "It was something I look
Popovich and Kawhi Leon- forward to," Leonard said
ard exchanged some about facing the Spurs.
laughs and pleasantries "Just to be able to play
after Leonard's new team, against a great coach and
the Los Angeles Clippers, my old teammates is al-
defeated his former coach ways fun."
and the San Antonio Spurs Leonard is 2-1 against his
on Thursday night. former team. While his de-
If Leonard has any more parture from San Antonio
nights like that against his wasn't amicable, Leonard
former club, the normally said his relationship with
irascible Popovich won't Popovich is good, for the
be smiling again. most part.
Leonard scored 38 points Popovich didn't have San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan, front left, loses the ball as Los Angeles Clippers guard
and grabbed 12 rebounds much to say about Leon- Patrick Beverley, back left, and forward Kawhi Leonard, right, defend during the second half of an
in the Clippers' 103-97 vic- ard postgame other than: NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019.
tory, which handed the "I thought he was great." Associated Press
Spurs their first loss. It is Leon- When someone tried to get Blake Griffin in 2015 to have quarter with nine coming time in three days, 106-97
ard's first points-rebounds, Popovich to expound, he at least 38 points and 12 re- from Leonard. The Spurs on Thursday night.
double-double this season. replied: "Doc's coaching bounds in a game. scored six straight points Nunn has 112 in his first five
It is also his first double- him, I'm not. I just said he "Tonight was a great night to get within 97-93 with games, the most by an un-
double in three meetings had a great game, there's for him to do his thing. We 2:34 left but could not get drafted player in NBA his-
against San Antonio, where nothing else to say." just followed his lead," Clip- closer. The Clippers shot tory. Connie Hawkins of the
he played seven seasons Another thing going well pers guard Lou Williams just 42.9% from the field, Phoenix Suns scored 105
(2011-18) before being is Leonard's start with the said. but Rivers was pleased with points in his first five games
traded to Toronto in July of Clippers, the team he Leonard — who sat out his team's defense. LaMar- of the 1969-70 season.
2018. signed with as a free agent Wednesday's game at cus Aldridge came in aver- Jabari Parker led Atlanta
The 38 points ties for the during the offseason. He Utah due to load manage- aging 21.3 points, but was with 23 points. Hawks point
fifth-most Leonard has has scored 30 or more in ment — took control of the held to five. guard Trae Young sat out
scored in a regular-season three of his first five games game in the second half, "It was a gritty game by because of a sprained right
game in his eight-year ca- and is the first Clipper since when he had 25 points both teams where no one ankle.
on 10 of 16 shooting from could make a shot," Riv- PELICANS 122, NUGGETS
the field, including a pair ers said. "Tonight was not 107
of 3-pointers. Los Angeles a great offensive night but NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jahlil
went on a 9-1 run to take we were able to win it on Okafor scored 26 points,
a 64-55 lead with 6:55 re- defense." Brandon Ingram added
maining in the third quar- DeRozan, a Los Angeles 25 and New Orleans beat
ter. Leonard scored five of native, led San Antonio Denver for itsr first victory in
his 10 third-quarter points with 29 points and Derrick five games this season.
during the rally, including a White added 20. Ingram has scored at least
dunk after a steal of DeMar HEAT 106, HAWKS 97 22 points in each of his first
DeRozan at midcourt. ATLANTA (AP) — Kendrick five games for New Orleans
San Antonio got within five Nunn scored a career-high after coming over from the
(80-75) at the end of the 28 points to add to his re- Los Angeles Lakers.
third quarter before the cord-setting start and the Michael Porter Jr. led the
Clippers scored 11 of the Miami Heat beat the At- Nuggets with 15 points in his
first 13 points in the fourth lanta Hawks for the second NBA debut.q