OCEANSIDE, CA — The Los Angeles Clippers had been among the many final groups to play their first preseason sport, however it was properly well worth the wait. Kawhi Leonard and co. traveled to Oceanside, CA to kick off their preseason schedule towards the Guangzhou Loong-Lions on Thursday evening.
The Clippers defeated the Loong-Lions, 142-95, behind a team-high 18 factors in 18 minutes from Kawhi Leonard. It was the group’s first sport following six days of coaching camp and scrimmages within the first 9 days, beginning September thirtieth.
“It was good,” Kawhi Leonard stated following the win. “It is at all times nice to see what we have been engaged on that apply after which see how we might carry out in entrance of followers with numerous distractions. So it was nice. It was nice.”
Leonard was one among six gamers in double-figures. Ivica Zubac recorded 15 factors and 5 rebounds, whereas new Clippers ahead John Collins added 15 factors and 4 rebounds off the bench.
Former Clippers guard Chris Paul acquired a pleasant ovation from followers when he checked in. Paul completed with 15 factors, a team-high six rebounds, and 4 assists whereas going 4-of-5 from three on the evening.
“He performed properly. He received us in our offense. Made performs, knocked down his three-point shot and received us rolling.”
The Clippers gained by 47 factors, however solely led by 5 factors at halftime. Their benefit was solely a 69-64 lead on the half due, largely, to the NBA gamers on the Guangzhou Loong-Lions roster.
Former Indiana Pacers two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo recorded 21 factors and 5 assists within the first half whereas former New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier had 10 factors and 5 assists.
Head coach Tyronn Lue felt just like the Clippers weren’t taking the Loong-Lions critically within the first half, which is why a transparent message was despatched to deal with their defensive ideas within the second half.
“Early on within the first half, I simply thought we had been going by way of the motions,” Tyronn Lue stated after his group allowed 643 first-half factors. “I did not suppose we had been actually locked in or had that defensive mindset to begin the sport. They ran round too free and received no matter shot they needed. We did not actually take them critical.
“I instructed our guys we’re engaged on ourselves, we’re not engaged on taking part in towards them. We have to get higher and to have that mindset each evening. Within the first half, I did not suppose we did that. However I believed the second unit to begin the third quarter got here out and had an actual defensive mindset.”
The Clippers starters did not play within the second half, and the second unit primarily that includes Chris Paul, Brook Lopez, John Collins, Jordan Miller, and Nicolas Batum led a 3rd quarter that noticed LA outscore Guangzhou 42-8 within the interval.
From there, the sport was primarily over, with the Clippers giving their younger gamers burn within the fourth quarter.
“It went properly,” Kawhi Leonard stated of the Clippers’ preseason opener. “These video games are at all times fairly robust. You do not know who you are guarding and these groups come out fairly aggressive and wish to make a stamp. However I believed we did some nice issues on the market collectively and we simply received to maintain constructing ahead, shifting ahead.
“We’re simply getting higher. Every thing, however it’s nonetheless preseason. It is apply.”
Up subsequent for the Clippers are Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets have break up their first two preseason video games, shedding to the Minnesota Timberwolves after which defeating the Toronto Raptors.