NBA: Kawhi Leonard stars in return as Clippers down Lakers

Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points and Ivica Zubac added 18 points with 19 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers continued their red-hot run with a 112-104 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday in Inglewood, California.

James Harden contributed 18 points and 10 assists, Jordan Miller added 14 points, and John Collins scored 13 as the Clippers improved to 14-3 since Dec. 20 — a run that started with a home win against the Lakers.

The Clippers led by as many as 24 points in the second half and held off a late Lakers comeback to win for the ninth time in their last 10 home games. Harden committed seven of the Clippers’ 20 turnovers, but the team still managed to secure a 2-1 lead in the season series.

For the Lakers, Luka Dončić scored 32 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists, while LeBron James added 23 points. The loss dropped the Lakers to 3-6 since Jan. 7. Rui Hachimura added 12 points for Los Angeles, which is now 1-1 to start an eight-game road trip.

Dončić recorded his 25th game of at least 30 points this season.

The Clippers seemed in control until the Lakers ended the third quarter with a 19-7 run, closing the gap to 86-72. Another 19-7 run brought the Lakers within 93-91 with 5:56 remaining after a three-pointer by Dončić.

Harden responded with a 3-pointer of his own to start a 10-0 run, pushing the Clippers ahead 103-91 with 3:26 left.

The Lakers managed to cut the lead to 105-102 with 1:28 remaining after a three-point play by James, but the Clippers sealed the win with a dunk by Zubac and a 3-pointer from Collins.

The Clippers shot 47.6% from the field, while the Lakers shot 45.5%. Los Angeles also dominated the boards with a 55-43 rebounding advantage.

The Clippers took the lead for good just over four minutes into the first quarter and finished the first half on a 13-5 run to lead 64-47 at halftime.

Leonard scored 14 points in the first half, and the Clippers shot an impressive 58.7% from the floor. Harden had 10 points and eight assists in the first half, while moving into 20th place on the NBA’s all-time steals list. Dončić led the Lakers with 17 first-half points as the team shot 42.9%.

— Field Level Media/Reuters