INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to a season-best five games with a 131-90 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.
James Harden scored 21 points and John Collins and rookie Yanich Konan Niederhauser added 16 apiece for the Clippers, who found a formula for success after failing to win two games in a row before their current run.
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Leonard had a productive night after scoring a career-high 55 points in Sunday’s win over the Detroit Pistons. He averaged 37.8 points over the past five games.
Los Angeles’ winning streak began the same night that center Ivica Zubac went down with a sprained left ankle. Zubac has not played in any of the past four games.
Nick Clifford scored 18 points, Maxime Leno and Russell Westbrook each scored 12 points, and the Kings improved to 3-12 since November 26. Leno also grabbed 12 rebounds, but the Kings lost their fifth straight road game.
Westbrook had four assists and two three-pointers against his former team.
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The Clippers left no doubt from the start. They led 34-20 after the first quarter, led by another 36 points in the second quarter, and led 70-43 at halftime. In the second quarter, they shot 57.1% from the field and scored 39 points, of which Leonard contributed 18 points.
Leonard scored 30 points in the third quarter, and the Clippers took a 100-71 lead and held a comfortable lead from then on.
Los Angeles shot 51.1% overall and had its largest winning margin of the season. The Sacramento Kings shot 41% from the field.
The Clippers made only 4 turnovers, but turned the Kings’ score from 19 points to 28 points.
Next
Kings: Host the Boston Celtics on Thursday.
Clippers: Host Thursday against the Utah Jazz.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA