Raptors, Clippers Open 2019 NBA Regular Season with Wins

TORONTO (AP) _ The Toronto Raptors raised their first NBA championship banner and received their rings before clawing their way to an overtime win over New Orleans.

Fred VanVleet scored a career-high 34 points and the Raptors closed on an 8-0 run to earn a 130-122 victory in the league’s first game of the season. Kyle Lowry scored 22 points, including a pair of free throws that put Toronto in the lead for good.

Pascal Siakam fouled out with 34 points and 18 rebounds before the Raptors completed their seventh consecutive season-opening victory.

Brandon Ingram scored 22 points and Josh Hart had 15 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans.

Meanwhile, the Raptors’ MVP of this year’s NBA Finals had a big night for his new team.

Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard scored a game-high 30 points on 10 of 19 shooting in his Clippers debut to lead a 112-102 win over the Lakers. Leonard helped the Clippers outscored their co-tenants 27-17 in the final period.

Lou Williams added 21 points and Montrezl (MAHN’-trehz) Harrell had 17 off the bench for the winners.

Danny Green led the Lakers with 28 points, Anthony Davis added 25 and LeBron James contributed 18 with nine rebounds and eight assists.

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