CLIPPERS, CELTICS TURN BACK FOES

LOS ANGELES—KAWHI Leonard endured a difficult night against the club he led to an NBA title but his Los Angeles Clippers surged late Monday to beat reigning champion Toronto Raptors, 98-88.

The Clippers grinded defensively through the fourth quarter, allowing Toronto only 10 points in the final period as the Raptors missed six of their first seven shots while Lou Williams came off the LA bench for a game-high 21 points.

“Just compete on the defensive end, contest their shots and get back on transition,” Leonard said as the secret for the Clippers’ late success.

Leonard had 12 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists but shot only 2-of-11 from the floor and 0-of-4 from threepoint range.

Boston guard Kemba Walker scored 29 points before leaving late in the game with an injury, leading the Celtics over Dallas, 116-106.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens called the setback “a little whiplash” and did not expect it was serious.