Veterans guide Clippers to opening win over Blazers

Paul George scored 27 points and Kawhi Leonard added 23 as the Los Angeles Clippers made easy work of their season opener with a 123-111 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Ivica Zubac had 20 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots while Russell Westbrook had 11 points and 13 assists for the Clippers, who extended their winning streak over the Trail Blazers to six games, including all three last season.

Veterans George and Leonard have been limited by injuries the past two seasons, but the large lead throughout allowed the duo to ease into the season by playing 32 and 29 minutes, respectively.

Malcolm Brogdon scored 20 points off the bench in his Portland debut and Anfernee Simons added 18 as the Trail Blazers played their first game in 12 seasons without Damian Lillard on the roster. Lillard was moved to the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason after requesting a trade.

The new-look Blazers had a number of team debuts. Robert Williams III produced 10 points and seven rebounds, Deandre Ayton added four points and 12 rebounds and rookie Scoot Henderson delivered 11 points and four assists as the starting point guard.

Henderson, the No. 3 overall selection in this year’s draft, did not score in the first half and committed four turnovers overall while shooting 5 of 11 from the field in the game.

The Clippers took control from the outset, leading by as many as 12 points in the first quarter before taking a 67-47 lead into halftime by shooting 56.5 percent from the field.

Portland managed to pull within 16 in the third quarter before Los Angeles went on a 17-3 run to lead 96-66. The Clippers were up 99-73 at the end of the period.

After consecutive 3-pointers by the Blazers early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 102-79, Leonard and George returned, and Los Angeles pulled ahead 115-91 with 5:18 remaining.

The Clippers were without projected starting guard Terance Mann because of a left ankle sprain.

–Field Level Media

Share this post
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp

Latest Offers

Select Your State

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Alabama

Arkansas

California

Connecticut

Sportsbook

Casino

Delaware

Florida

Sportsbook
Fantasy

Hawaii

Idaho

Kentucky

Maryland

Sportsbook
Fantasy

Massachusetts

Sportsbook
Fantasy

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

Sportsbook
Fantasy

New Mexico

North Carolina

North Dakota

Oklahoma

Oregon

Sportsbook
Fantasy

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Sportsbook
Fantasy

Vermont

Washington

Washington, DC

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Sportsbook
Fantasy

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland

Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

Saskatchewan

MYBET CALCULATOR

MYBET CALCULATOR

Odds Board

Choose League:

Today's Measured Matchup:

Bet Hunter

Follow Us

Top Betting Sites

$1000 No Sweat

First Bet

Wager Up to $1,250

on Any Sport

Claim 5 x $50

Second Chance Bets

Second Chance Bets

Up to $500

First Bet Paid Back

up to $1000

Bet $1, Get $200

Top Casino Reviews

We're Giving 200% +

$10 Sign Up

$2000 Play It Again

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

Up to $250 Bonus

on first deposit

Top Betting Reviews

$1000 No Sweat

First Bet

Wager Up to $1,250

on Any Sport

Claim 5 x $50

Second Chance Bets

2nd Chance Bets

Up to $500

First Bet Back

up to $1000

Bet $1, Get $200

Top Casino Reviews

We're Giving 200% +

$10 Sign Up

$2000 Play It Again

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

Up to $250 Bonus

on first deposit

BETTING

UNIVERSITY

Sportsbook:

How-tos

Casino:

How-tos

Join Now

[mepr-login-form Action: mepr-login-form-before-submit]
[mepr-membership-registration-form id="14299"]