Kawhi Leonard is back, and even though he's still rounding into form, his return has been transformative for the Los Angeles Clippers. It's been a small sample size, but early signs indicate the presence of the two-time Finals MVP entrenches the team among the Western Conference elites.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Keon Johnson led a balanced Brooklyn attack with 18 points, and the Nets snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 104-83 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night. Jalen Wilson added 15 points and Tosan Evbuomwan had 14 for the Nets, who never trailed.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Anthony Davis had 42 points and 23 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers used a huge first quarter from the All-Star center to build a 23-point lead before beating the Charlotte Hornets 112-107 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.

James Harden (24), Norman Powell (23) and Ivica Zubac (25) all scored 20+ points in the loss, snapping LA’s two-game win streak. Kawhi Leonard played a season-high 28 minutes and finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block.

But instead of those left behind reduced to flailing and failing, the Miami Heat put together one of their best character wins of the season, battling back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit

Opponents paint a portrait of one of the NBA’s up-and-coming defenders so convincing that they are open about wanting him on their team.

Rivers was right about the free-throw line, although perhaps the message didn’t get through to his best players. During a decisive 14-0 Clippers run in the fourth quarter, there was Lillard guarding Harden after a timeout, hands where they weren’t supposed to be. Harden drew the 3-shot foul, knocking down all of his free throws:

James Harden scored 17 of his 40 points in the third quarter and Norman Powell added 33 points as the Los Angeles Clippers finished off a 127-117 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks at Inglewood,

LA Clippers guard Norman Powell is a great prop target tonight. / Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images Fresh off of a 59-point win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Clippers hit ...

Stephen Curry bounced back from a four-point first half with five second-half 3-pointers and the Golden State Warriors rallied to overcome Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 52 points and stun the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-109 on Wednesday night in San Francisco.