TWO dominant forces from Los Angeles ended the return of NBA last night in Orlando, Florida in high gear, with the Los Angeles Lakers triumphing over the Los Angeles Clippers 103 – 101.
Star power forward Anthony Davis scored 34 points and collected 8 rebounds on route to victory for the LA Lakers.
Prior to the game, Players, coaches, and staff took a silent stand against racial injustice in the United States of America by kneeling together during the American national anthem.
Basketball fans have had to wait months for competitive basketball to return and the first night did not disappoint in the slightest.
LA Clippers duo Paul George and Kawhi Leonard drove a spirited comeback, combining for 58 points on the night, but could not find a way to force a win. George missing the game-winning shot after a great defensive possession from LeBron James with the game at 101 – 103.
Star players Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell were missing for the Clippers, due to quarantine protocols for breaching the NBA bubble, and the Clippers lacked their usual scoring punch off-the-bench.
A game-winning lay-up from James with 12.8 seconds to go would seal the Lakers fate as winners on the day.
NBA teams and staff of the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans also took the knee during the national anthem in the night’s opening game.
Give it up for the big man ? pic.twitter.com/QwCfnOZJnM
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 31, 2020