LOS ANGELES (AP) Kawhi Leonard hit seven straight shots in one stretch, creating a run for the Clippers that his new teammates quickly joined.
Its 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.
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 franchises first NBA championship.
Its 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.
For us, were 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.
Its just the first game of the season, so its 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. Its great for the city.
