Paul George scored 27 factors and Kawhi Leonard added 25 factors and 9 rebounds because the visiting Los Angeles Clippers continued their dominance over the rival Los Angeles Lakers with a 133-115 victory on Tuesday.
The Clippers gained regardless of Lakers star LeBron James placing up 46 factors, two off his season excessive, in addition to eight rebounds and 7 assists. James grew to become the primary participant in historical past to have a 40-point sport towards each NBA franchise.
Norman Powell scored 22 factors because the Clippers earned their tenth consecutive victory over the Lakers going again to the opening sport of the 2020-21 season.
The Clippers made 15 3-pointers within the first half and 19 within the sport whereas capturing 50 p.c from lengthy distance.
Russell Westbrook had 17 factors for the Lakers, who performed at some point after they acquired ahead Rui Hachimura in a commerce with the Washington Wizards. Hachimura was in attendance however not activated on Tuesday. He is predicted to make his Lakers debut Wednesday towards the visiting San Antonio Spurs.
Thomas Bryant scored 15 factors for the Lakers, who may also have star ahead Anthony Davis again Wednesday after he missed 20 video games with a foot damage.
James now has 38,210 profession factors, leaving him 177 behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time NBA-leading level whole.
The Lakers confirmed simply how a lot they may use reinforcements once they trailed 77-54 at halftime. It was probably the most first-half factors the Clippers have scored towards the Lakers in franchise historical past.
The solely shiny spot for the Lakers within the first half got here when Westbrook reached 24,000 profession factors with a first-quarter basket.
The Lakers reduce into the deficit to path 98-82 heading into the fourth quarter. The Clippers led 111-93 with 8:23 remaining earlier than the Lakers went on a 10-2 run to tug inside 113-103 with 6:46 left.
However, an 8-0 run, with 5 factors from Leonard, had the Clippers again up 121-103 with 5:07 remaining, and the Lakers then went to their reserves on the primary evening of a back-to-back.
The Clippers’ Marcus Morris Sr. got here away with a rib contusion within the first quarter and didn’t return after scoring 5 factors in 10 minutes. Reggie Jackson had 19 for the Clippers and Terance Mann had 17.
—Field Level Media/Reuters
