LeBron & Co. snap Clippers’ streak at 6 with 112-103 victory
LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis scored 30 points, LeBron James added 28 and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Clippers 112-103 on Sunday, snapping their Staples Center co-tenant’s six-game winning streak.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots as Los Angeles guard Paul George defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Avery Bradley added 24 points to help the Lakers won their fourth in a row and 11th in 12 games. They pulled away in the second half after the Clippers’ smothering defense helped them lead most of the first two quarters.
The Lakers recently clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2013, and it’s possible they could meet the Clippers in the postseason. The crowd made it feel like a playoff atmosphere, with a strong contingent of raucous Lakers fans on hand for what was a Clippers’ home game. They chanted “MVP! MVP!” when James completed a 3-point play that tied the Lakers’ largest lead of 12 points with 40 seconds to play.
Paul George scored 31 points, Kawhi Leonard added 27 and Montrezl Harrell had 20 for the Clippers. They lost to the Lakers for the first time in three games this season.
With the Lakers up by four points, James hit a 3-pointer to open the fourth. His 3-point play and a basket by Davis capped a 14-6 run that pushed it to 99-87, their first double-digit lead of the game.
George and Leonard combined to score 12 straight points during a stretch in the fourth, but they could never get a sustained run going.
Bradley hit four of his season-high six 3-pointers in the third, helping the Lakers take their first lead since the opening quarter after trailing by nine.
TIP-INS
Lakers: They improved to 20-2 on the road against West opponents. … Their earlier losses to the Clippers were by 10 and 5 points.
Clippers: They fell to 10-1 in games when their entire roster is healthy, a rarity this season. … Joakim Noah was greeted warmly by fans while watching the game from several rows up. Coach Doc Rivers let his name slip during his pregame comments but declined to address reports the team will sign Noah to a 10-day contract this week.
