NBA: Kawhi Leonard's LA Clippers upstage LeBron James-led Lakers; Raptors begin title defence with win over Pelicans

Los Angeles: Kawhi Leonard made his Los Angeles debut a successful one on Tuesday as his Clippers upstaged LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 112-102 to get their 2019-20 campaign off to a winning start. [caption id=“attachment_7541791” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Los Angeles Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell (centre) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. AP Photo[/caption] Leonard wasted no time roaring back into action, leading the way in the season-opener with his new team after powering the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title last season. “It was great. A lot of emotions, game one,” said Leonard, who grew up in Riverside, 50 miles east of Los Angeles. “I am just happy we came out and got a victory. We had great practices and had some carry over from that tonight.” The Clippers attacked the rim, forced easy turnovers, used a stingy defence to keep James and his new sidekick Anthony Davis in check. Leonard also had six rebounds and five assists, reserve guard Lou Williams finished with 21 points and power forward Montrezl Harrell tallied 17 points and seven rebounds. James shot seven-of-19 for 18 points and Davis shot eight-of-21 for 25 points for the Lakers who are hoping their offseason changes will boost the team’s fortunes after they finished a disappointing 37-45 and failed to qualify for the postseason for the sixth season in a row. The two Los Angeles teams made some of the most signficant changes but the Clippers appeared to have added more value. Every one of their bench players reached double figures on Tuesday as they outscored the Laker reserves 60-19. Thanks to the addition of Leonard from Toronto and Paul George from Oklahoma City, the Clippers are one of the early front runners to contend for a title. Raptors off to winning start Fred VanVleet scored a career-high 34 points as the Toronto Raptors got their NBA title defence off to a winning start with a 130-122 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Pascal Siakam also tallied 34 points and added 18 rebounds before fouling out of the NBA’s season-opening contest at Scotiabank Arena which featured the Raptors’ championship banner and ring ceremony. Both teams were missing some big names as the Raptors began life without Kawhi Leonard and the Pelicans lost Anthony Davis in a trade and were missing injured first pick Zion Williamson. “We had to reach into our bag of tricks,” said Raptors coach Nick Nurse. The game was one of two opening night contests with the Los Angeles Lakers taking the court later against the Leonard’s new team Los Angeles Clippers. Prior to the tipoff against the Pelicans, the Raptors presented their players and coaches with their rings and unveiled the 2019 championship banner in the rafters of the arena. The massive ring features over 80 diamonds including 74 in and around the Toronto skyline logo which represents the club’s 74 wins last season. The Pelicans decided to remain on the floor during the pre-game festivities instead of loosening up in their locker room. “It was great to see the ceremony,” said Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry. “That is what we aspire to be.” Kyle Lowry chipped in 22 points and Serge Ibaka added 13 for Toronto, whose championship pedigree shone through by outscoring the Pelicans 13-5 in overtime. The teams were tied 117-all at the end of regulation. Nurse blamed their slow start against the Pelicans on the ceremony. “I thought energy was an issue,” Nurse said. “The emotions of the night took its toll. “I was super happy it was tied at the half. There was noticeable lack of energy just in locker room. “You just got to take them (wins) in this league when you get them.” Brandon Ingram finished with 22 points to lead the Pelicans. This marks the end of the Leonard period in Toronto as he left as a free agent to join the Clippers. That means leadership by committee with the load being distributed amongst Lowry, VanVleet and Siakam, who signed a four-year, $130-million contract extension Monday. The Raptors are also without another key player from their championship team in Danny Green, who departed as a free agent for the Lakers.