George powers Clippers past Lakers on NBA's opening night

HANS GUTKNECHT/SCNG

The Clippers’ Paul George (13) shoots as the Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma defends during an NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, US, on December 22, 2020.

Paul George scored 26 of his 33 points in the second half, and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers 116-109 on Tuesday in the NBA season opener for both teams.

Before the game, the Lakers handed out rings celebrating their 2019-20 NBA championship, Reuters reported.

George converted 13 of 18 shots from the floor, including 5 of 8 from three-point range. Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points, Serge Ibaka added 15, Ivica Zubac and Lou Williams contributed 11 each and Patrick Beverley chipped in with 10.

LeBron James had 22 points, five assists and five rebounds while Anthony Davis added 18 points and seven rebounds for the Lakers. Former Clipper Montrezl Harrell had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Kyle Kuzma scored 15 points. Dennis Schroder amassed 14 points, a game-high 12 rebounds and eight assists.

The Clippers bolted out to an early advantage, leading by as much as 22 points in the first quarter. The Clippers owned a 39-19 lead after one period.

An 11-2 run by the Lakers cut the gap to 41-30 after a three-pointer by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope midway through the second quarter. The Lakers sliced the deficit to 53-50 on a dunk by James with 1:39 remaining in the second.

James’ three-point play with about a minute left in the quarter capped the first-half scoring, helping the Lakers pull within 56-54 at the break. The Lakers outscored the Clippers 35-17 in the second quarter.

Dominant duo

Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and Kevin Durant added 22 in three quarters as the Brooklyn Nets took control early and cruised to a 125-99 victory over the Golden State Warriors in New York on Tuesday.

The duo was spectacular in their first regular-season game since joining the Nets as free agents in July 2019. Brooklyn led by any as 38 points in Steve Nash’s coaching debut.

Limited to 20 games last season due to shoulder injuries, Irving made 10 of 16 shots and hit four three-pointers in his first game since February 1. Irving added four assists and four rebounds while playing 25:18.

In his first game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals with Golden State against Toronto, Durant made 7 of 16 shots, hit all seven of his free throws and contributed five rebounds to go along with three assists in 24:56.

Caris LeVert added 20 points as the Nets shot 45.7 percent and ended a seven-game losing streak in season openers.

Warriors star Stephen Curry, back after being limited to five games last season due to a broken left hand, posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists. He shot 7 of 21 and missed eight of 10 three-point tries.