INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points, a career-high 23 consecutive games with at least 20 points, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers 112-104 in a tense fourth quarter on Thursday night.
The Clippers have won 7 of 8 games and 14 of 17 games as they continue their climb from the depths of the Western Conference. Leonard missed some time with a left knee contusion as the team was nearing bottom in the standings, but he didn’t sit out for long in the fourth quarter.
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LeBron James scored 4 points, Doncic hit a three-pointer, and the Lakers went on a 19-7 run to narrow the point difference to 2 points.
James Harden responded to Doncic with a three-pointer, and the Clippers scored 10 points in a row to maintain a 103-91 lead.
But the Lakers aren’t done yet. James hit a jumper and a three-pointer, launching an 11-2 run to chase the score to 3 points.
Ivica Zubac’s reverse dunk and John Collins’ three-pointer extended the Clippers’ lead to 8 points, and Harden tied the score with two free throws.
Luka Doncic scored 32 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists, and James scored 23 points. The Lakers are 5-6 in their past 11 games.
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Harden scored 18 points and 10 assists, and Zubac contributed 18 points and 19 rebounds for the Clippers. Seven Clippers players scored in double figures.
Leonard, Harden and Zubac combined to score the Clippers’ first 15 points of the third quarter, extending the lead to 26 points – the largest margin of victory in the game.
After that, the Lakers led their opponents 19-7 and trailed 86-72 entering the fourth quarter. James started the offensive climax with a three-pointer, and after Doncic scored 9 points in the quarter, he took advantage of Harden’s mistake and ended the game with a dunk.
The Clippers dominated the first half, outscoring the Lakers 17-7 in the final minutes, including nine straight points, and went into halftime with a 64-47 lead.
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With Leonard on the bench against Doncic and James, Doncic scored just three of his 17 first-half points in the second quarter. The Clippers shot 59% from the field, while the Lakers shot 42%.
The Lakers are still without Austin Reeves (calf strain), although coach J.J. Redick hopes he will return soon.
Next
Lakers: Visit the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday to begin a six-game trip against Doncic’s former team.
Clippers: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
