Leonard leads Clippers over LeBron and Lakers 112-102

Kawhi Leonard hit seven straight shots in one stretch, creating a run for the Clippers that his new teammates quickly joined.

"It's a great sign of leadership," coach Doc Rivers said. "He talks with his game."

Leonard began a new career chapter Tuesday night, scoring 30 points to go with a strong bench effort in a 112-102 victory over LeBron James and the Lakers in the teams' season opener.

Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard, right, dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMarcio Jose Sanchez)

Leonard chose the Clippers because he wanted to come home and his family was on hand.

"All those emotions went through me again," he said.

Lou Williams added 21 points and Montrezl Harrell had 17 off the bench when the Clippers began their 50th season overall and 36th in Los Angeles as the once unlikely but now favorites to win the franchise's first NBA championship.

Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers' JaMychal Green (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMarcio Jose Sanchez)

"It's one of 82 (games)," Rivers said. "Next question."

Leonard won his second NBA title last season in Toronto.

The Lakers showed off their new 1-2 punch of James and Anthony Davis. Davis scored 25 points, making 9 of 14 free throws, and James had 18.

Los Angeles Clippers' Landry Shamet (20) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMarcio Jose Sanchez)

"For us, we're both aggressive," Davis said. "Sometimes we kind of miss each other. I missed him a couple times and he missed me, so just trying to figure it out."

Danny Green outscored them both with 28 points, including seven 3-pointers, in the highest-scoring debut by a Laker in franchise history.

Leonard got it done without his personal recruit Paul George, sidelined indefinitely while rehabbing from a pair of offseason shoulder surgeries.

Los Angeles Clippers' Montrezl Harrell celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMarcio Jose Sanchez)

"It's just the first game of the season, so it's going to take the season and mistakes and success to get us on the same page," Leonard said.

Wearing a black tuxedo jacket and bow tie, George received a mixed reaction when introduced in the playoff-like atmosphere at Staples Center, where the Clippers were the home team for the first of four meetings in the arena the teams share.

"Their fans were very loud early and I thought our fans took over from that point on," Rivers said. "It's great for the city."

Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard (39) argues a call against him during the the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMarcio Jose Sanchez)

The Clippers' reserves outscored the Lakers' bench, 60-19. Last season, Williams and Harrell were the NBA's highest-scoring reserve duo, and they picked up where they left off.

"This bench is going to be better this year than even last year," Rivers said.

It came down to the fourth quarter, and the Clippers dominated.

Tied 85-all, they opened with a 19-7 run to go up 104-92. Five different players scored and Leonard assisted on Maurice Harkless' 3-pointer.

James had three of the Lakers' six turnovers in the fourth, when Harkless and Leonard each blocked shots by Dwight Howard.

"That was just very careless and they capitalized off of it," James said.

With 4 ½ minutes left, Lakers fans chanted "Let's go, Lakers! Let's go, Lakers!" while others hit the exits.

"The NBA's back and everyone's trying to have the narrative of it's a rivalry game and it's a huge test," James said, "but I think both teams are not where they want to be. We have a lot of room to improve."

The Lakers erased a 14-point deficit in the third, led by Danny Green's 18 points. He capped a 15-0 run with his fifth 3-pointer before JaMychal Green's 3-pointer pulled the Clippers into an 85-all tie heading into the fourth.

The Clippers outscored the Lakers 40-29 in the second quarter, buoyed by 16 points from Leonard. He made seven straight shots on a variety of moves — pullups, fadeaways, a cutting dunk.

The Lakers raced to a 13-2 lead, their largest of the game. James scored over Leonard and he later heard "MVP! MVP!" chants while sinking his first free throws of the season.

The Lakers shot 53% from the floor in the first quarter, while the Clippers missed shots and had a basket by Williams taken away when the Lakers challenged a foul call on Howard.

The rivalry was on early with a male fan shouting "Go Lakers!" during the national anthem, drawing big cheers while Clipper fans booed.

"It was everything I expected," Davis said. "Very anticipated game and it was fun."

TIP-INS

Lakers: They fell to 43-29 all-time in season openers. ... G Rajon Rondo (sore right calf) sat out.

Clippers: They improved to 25-25 in openers all-time, but still trail the Lakers 3-2 when the teams meet in a season opener. ... G Rodney McGruder (right ankle sprain) missed the game.

WARNING FANS

As part of the NBA's crackdown on fan behavior this season, cards carrying a message from league security were on seats located courtside and the first couple rows back. They reminded that every fan is required to comply with the league's fan code of conduct and anyone who acts inappropriately may be subject to ejection and-or revocation of their tickets. The public address announcer reminded fans before both halves about minding their manners.

LEONARD'S GREETING

Leonard took to the mic to welcome Clippers fans to the game. He had to raise his usually low voice to be heard over the din, a mix of cheers from Clippers fans and boos from Lakers fans. "It's going to be a great season," Leonard said. "We're going to play hard every night. Let's get it going."

STARRY NIGHT

Famous faces came out, including Kate Hudson, Angela Bassett, Jeff Garlin, and athletes Lisa Leslie and Diana Taurasi of the WNBA, Joc Pederson of the Dodgers and soccer player Alex Morgan. Halsey performed outdoors at LA Live before the game and Ty Dolla $ign rapped at halftime.

UP NEXT

Lakers: Return to Staples Center as the home team Friday against Utah. The Lakers are 25-12 all-time against the Jazz at home.

Clippers: Travel to Golden State on Thursday to open the Chase Center in San Francisco in another blockbuster matchup.

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)