Kawhi Leonard scores 31 points to lead the Clippers over the Kings 119-99
Los Angeles Clippers #2 Kawhi Leonard (SF) is driving underneath the basket on the baseline and being defended by a Sacramento Kings player. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
LOS ANGELES, CA - The Los Angeles Clippers have won 10 of their last 13 games and five straight after beating the Sacramento Kings 119-99 at the Crypto.com Arena, with Kawhi Leonard leading the way and making 11 of 14 shots to score 31 points.
It was the third game in a roll that Leonard has scored 30 plus points, and following him in scoring were James Harden and Norman Powell, each scored 15 points.
The Clippers had to play without Paul George in the second half due to a slight groan pull after diving on the floor for a loose ball.
Tyronn Lue, the head coach for the Clippers, and his staff have done a great job of helping the players figure things out on offense with all new players after the trade for James Harden, but their defense has been something they can lay their hats on the last two weeks.
Sacramento Kings #10 Domantas Sabonis (PF) going up for a left-hand layup. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
"We're locked in defensively," Lue said. "That's where it all starts for us. When we're getting stops and getting out in transition, we're a hard team to beat.
Los Angeles led 6-0 to start the game with a three-pointer by Terance Mann and Paul George. Domantas Sabonis would score the first basket for Sacramento with a jump shot trail 6-2.
The Kings would take the lead 7-6 with a three-pointer by Kevin Huerter from the left corner of the court. James Harden would make two free throws to give the lead back to the Clippers 8-7.
Mann would knock down another three-pointer to give the Clippers a 15-13 lead. The Kings
trailed 24-19 thanks to a three-pointer by De'Aaron Fox. The Clippers would lead by nine points, 30-21, with a layup by Leonard. Los Angeles led 32-24 at the end of the first quarter with a dunk by Daniel Theis.
Russel Westbrook gave the Clippers a 41-30 lead with back-to-back baskets. Thies would roll to the basket for a monster dunk to give the Clippers a 48-32 lead.
Los Angeles Clippers #14 Terance Mann (SG) attempting a three-point shot in front of his bench. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
The Clippers led by twenty points, 59-39, with a floater by Norman Powell. Ivica Zubac, with a hook shot, had the Clippers up 63-41 with 4:30 left before halftime. The Clippers led at halftime 70-48.
The Kings trailed the Clippers 81-54 in the third quarter after Leonard made a jump shot in the Paint. Keegan Murray would make two free throws, and Sacramento trailed at the end of the third quarter, 99-70.
The Clippers were ahead 114-91 after the Kings’ small forward Kessler Edwards went up for a one-handed power dunk, and they ended the game 119-99 to improve their record to (13-10) and (9-3) at home.
Murray led Sacramento in scoring with 17 points and Domantas Sabonis 15 points.