Short-handed Lakers can’t curtail Clippers
Reigning champions have lost six of nine
Marcus Morris scored 22 points as the Los Angeles Clippers dominated the short-handed Lakers in a 104-86 victory on Sunday to end a two-game skid. Kawhi Leonard had 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and Paul George 16 points for the Clippers, who never trailed and built a double-digit lead by the second quarter.
Montrezl Harrell led the Lakers with 19 points against his former team. Marc Gasol was the Lakers’ lone starter to score in double figures with 11 points.
The Lakers, again without injured All-stars Lebron James and Anthony Davis as well as Andre Drummond and Wesley Matthews, lost for the sixth time in nine games.
■ Hawks 117, Warriors 111: At Atlanta, Clint Capela had 24 points and 18 rebounds for Atlanta, which won its third straight. Stephen Curry, back from a tailbone injury, scored 37 points for Golden State. The game had 16 lead changes and 17 ties.
■ Grizzlies 116, 76ers 100: At Philadelphia, Findlay Prep product Dillon Brooks had 17 points to lead seven double-figure scorers for Memphis. Philadelphia was without All-star center Joel Embiid (rest).
■ Pelicans 122, Rockets 115: At Houston, Lonzo Ball hit a career-high eight 3-pointers and totaled 27 points for New Orleans, which halted a two-game skid and dealt Houston its fourth loss in a row.
■ Nuggets 119, Magic 109: At Denver, Aaron Gordon scored 24 points against his former team, helping Denver erase an 18-point halftime deficit for its 14th win in 17 games.
■ Bulls 115, Nets 107: At Chicago, Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago, which halted its six-game slide and Brooklyn’s fivegame win streak.
■ Celtics 116, Hornets 86: At Boston, Jayson Tatum had 22 points and eight rebounds for Boston, which hit 21 3-pointers and erased a nine-point first-half deficit.