Weeks of anticipation created a playoff-like atmosphere at Staples Center for Opening Night of the 2019-20 NBA season and a back-and-forth affair that saw the Los Angeles Clippers pull away late for a 112-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers opened the game with a 13-2 run, to the delight of much of the crowd despite it being a designated home game for the Clippers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the way early but foul trouble began to set in.
Davis scored nine points in the first quarter to help the Lakers hang onto a 25-22 lead after the first 12 minutes, but he and Dwight Howard each had two personal fouls.