Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris lead Clippers to rout Spurs
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the second half of a game against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center on February 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP
Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points and Marcus Morris added 20, all but two in the first half, as the Los Angeles Clippers roared to a 134-101 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday in the first game of a back-to-back between the teams in the Alamo City.
The Spurs and the Clippers run it back on Thursday, with the season series – now tied at a game apiece – to be decided in the balance.
Los Angeles never trailed in the rout, leading by 12 after one quarter, by 14 at the half and steadily building its margin to as many as 35 points late through the fourth quarter as the benches were emptied.
Paul George added 17 points for Los Angeles, with Lou Williams hitting for 16, Ivica Zubac scoring 14 and Nicolas Batum tallying 13. The Clippers have won three straight and four out of five games.
“It’s a blessing… I’m incredibly honored.”@TeamLou23 on surpassing 15,000 career points. pic.twitter.com/uqySYgQNXQ
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 25, 2021
DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 19 points. Patty Mills scored 17, Luka Samanic had 14 and Derrick White added 13 for San Antonio, which lost its third straight.
The Clippers led by as many as 18 points late in the first quarter before settling for a 41-29 lead after 12 minutes, with the 41 points the most for Los Angeles in an opening quarter this season.
San Antonio cut the deficit to as few as five points, at 49-44, after a 3-pointer by White with 5:17 to play in the half. But the Clippers responded, as Morris, Terance Mann and Leonard had baskets in a late run that granted Los Angeles a 67-53 advantage at the break.
Three in a row. pic.twitter.com/boRgXRO179
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 25, 2021
Morris paced the Clippers with 18 points in the half, hitting on 5 of his 6 3-pointers over the first 24 minutes, with Leonard scoring 16 and George adding 10. Los Angeles outshot the Spurs 54.3 percent to 45.7 percent before halftime.
San Antonio was led by DeRozan’s 15 first-half points but it took him 12 shots to get there.
San Antonio played without Rudy Gay and Lonnie Walker IV, who sat because of a sore foot and a sore wrist, respectively. Los Angeles was missing Pat Beverley (right knee soreness) and Serge Ibaka, who has battled tightness in his lower back.
