LA Clippers Defeat the Lakers, Durant and Nets Dominate Warriors

The NBA started last night with the LA Clippers defeating the LA Lakers, while across the country, Brooklyn Nets rolled over the Golden State Warriors.

Clippers Spoil Lakers’ Ring Celebration

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Lakers in the NBA opener for the second year in a row.

The Lakers celebrated their title, rejoicing in front of the Clippers’ players with their brand new championship rings. That apparently motivated Paul George, who stepped up in the key moments of the match to lead the Clips to the first fin of the year. 

George had 33 points, 26 in the second half, that saw the Clippers controlling the situation on the court following a massive slowdown in the second quarter. At first, Tyronn Lue’s side won the opening period 39-19 but lost the second with 35-17.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB0L6sNUjHk

Their forward took matters in his hands in the late part of the third, beating all of his guards. PG had five misses from the field in 18 shots and hit five threes along the way.

“I’ve applied the work that I put in this offseason,” George said. “It’s not gonna be pretty every night. Tonight I got it going and was able to show up big time for my team.”

 Kawhi Leonard was a great support with 26 buckets, and the newcomer from the Toronto Raptors, Serge Ibaka, had 15 points with six boards. Ivica Zubac and Lou Williams came off the bench to score 11 points each. 

Among the Lakers, LeBron had 22, but sat the most of the last period due to his injury. Apparently, LBJ rolled his ankle, but according to his words, that isn’t going to stop him from facing Luka Doncic and the Mavs on Christmas Day. 

“I turned it pretty good, but I don’t think it’s going to stop me from playing on Friday.”

Anthony Davis ended the night with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Dennis Schroder had a marvelous debut for the Lakers, finishing shy two assists of a triple-double. The German scored 14 points with 12 rebounds and 8 assists. 

Up next, the Clippers visit the Nuggets, who eliminated them in the West semis following a 3-1 lead, while the Lakers meet Doncic and Mavs. 

Durant’s Comeback Against the Warriors

Kevin Durant faced the Warriors in his first game following a nasty injury that separated him from the court for more than a year. The former MVP didn’t look rusty at all, scoring 22 points with five boards and three steals. 

“I don’t think I don’t have to show anybody anything, I might as well just go out there and hoop,” Durant said, following one question which considered all the doubts about his condition he recently faced.  

The Nets had a lead throughout the whole game, not allowing the Warriors to catch a break. Kyrie Irving imposed a pace that eventually saw Brooklyn generating a 63-45 advantage on the court.   

Uncle Drew dropped 26 buckets, hitting 10 of his 16 shots from the field. He added four three-pointers, and four boards, and assists each. Caris LeVert had an excellent role coming off the bench, yielding 20 points, nine rebounds and five dimes in 25 minutes played. 

Steph Curry had a double-double for Golden State, 20 points and 10 assists, while the second pick from the recent draft, James Wiseman, scored 19 points with six boards. 

The Warriors will visit the Bucks next, while the Nets meet the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden.