INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points for a career-best streak of 23 games scoring at least 20, and the Los Angeles Clippers survived a tight fourth quarter to beat Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers 112-104 on Thursday. The Clippers have won seven of eight and 14 of 17 as they continue their rise from the depths of the Western Conference. Leonard, who missed a stretch of the season when his team nearly bottomed out in the standings, is suffering from a contusion in his left knee, but he didn’t sit out much in the fourth quarter. LeBron James scored four points and Luka Doncic hit a 3-pointer to cap a 19-7 run that brought the Lakers within two points. James Harden responded to Doncic’s 3-pointer with one of his own and the Clippers scored 10 unanswered points to stay ahead, 103-91.But the Lakers weren’t done yet. James hit a jumper and completed a three-point play in an 11-2 run that brought them within three. Ivica Zubac’s reverse dunk and John Collins’ 3-pointer extended the Clippers’ lead to eight points. A pair of Harden free throws ended the duel. Doncic had 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and James added 23 points. The Lakers fell to 5-6 in their last 11 games. Harden had 18 points and 10 assists and Zubac added 18 points and 19 rebounds for the Clippers, who had seven players in double figures. _____AP Sports:
