NBA Daily: Leonard Punishes Former Team, as Clippers Thrash Spurs 134-109
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 23 Dec 2019
Boracay Island, Philippines – Kawhi Leonard registered his first victory in San Antonio since he was traded last year to Toronto. This time around, playing for his new team from LA, he was simply unstoppable. Leonard stuffed the stat sheets with game high 26 points on a very efficient 11-for-16 field goal shooting, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals to lead the LA Clippers in systematically dismantling the San Antonio Spurs 134-109 on Saturday night (Sunday morning, Philippine time) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Clippers dynamic bench duo Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams added 21 and 20, respectively on reserve roles. Ivica Zubac was frequently the recipient of the Clippers’ 32 team assists, as he registered 15 markers on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting from the field. Patrick Beverly was a pest on the defensive end, forcing turnovers and setting the tone defensively for Los Angeles.
Paul George only scored 11 points, but was perfectly content deferring to his teammates, while playing excellent defense on the other end of the floor. With the victory, the Clippers improved to 22 wins and 9 losses, which is good for 2nd place in the Western Conference team standings.
DeMar DeRozan had 24 for San Antonio, but had little help, as LaMarcus Aldridge only scored 12 and grabbed a dismal 4 boards. No Spurs player had more than 5 rebounds during the contest.
The Spurs, who dropped to an 11-17 win-loss card for 10th place in the Western Conference, will try to bounce back, as they face the Grizzlies in Memphis on Monday night (Tuesday morning, Philippine time).
Meanwhile, the Clippers will be at Oklahoma City to face the Thunder on Sunday night (Monday morning, Philippine time).
How they scored:
Clippers 134 – Leonard 26, Harrell 21, Williams 20, Harkless 15, Jubac 15, George 11, Beverly 8, Kabengele 5, McGruder 5, Patterson 3, Shamet 3, Robinson 2
Spurs 109 – DeRozan 24, Belinelli 17, Aldridge 12, Murray 10, White 10, Mills 9, Gay 7, Poeltl 6, Forbes 5, Walker IV 4, Carroll 3, Metu 2
AROUND THE LEAGUE:
(Road Team – Home Team)
UTAH 114 – 107 CHA
ATL 112 – 122 BKN
WSH 108 – 125 PHI
CHI 119 – 107 DET
MIL 123 – 102 NYK
SAC 115 – 119 MEM
LAC 134 – 109 SAS
HOU 139 – 125 PHX
MIN 106 – 113 POR
GAMES TODAY, DECEMBER 23, 2019 CT
DAL @ TOR 4:30 AM CT
CHA @ BOS 7:00 AM CT
IND @ MIL 8:00 AM CT
LAC @ OKC 8:00 AM CT
DEN @ LAL 10:30 AM CT
Comments are highly appreciated. You may send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph and you may follow me @reylan_l on twitter.
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