Clippers even their preseason record by beating Jazz in Seattle
Kawhi Leonard scores 16 points and Russell Westbrook and Nicolas Batum make their preseason debuts in a 103-98 win, but Ivica Zubac (back spasms) is among four players nursing injuries
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard handles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen defends during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook handles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio defends during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac goes to the basket as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler defends during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker shoots between Clippers forwards Kawhi Leonard, left, and Robert Covington during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
A general view of the preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Clippers center Mason Plumlee brings the ball up the court during the first half of their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson shoots in front of Clippers center Mason Plumlee during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard tries to get possession of the ball during the first half of their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, goes up to try to block a shot by Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy watches from the sidelines during the first half of their preseason game against the Clippers on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers guard Bones Hyland shoots in front of Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen dunks during the first half of their preseason game against the Clippers on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook looks down the court during the first half of their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Terance Mann dunks as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler watches during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook gestures during the first half of their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, left, shoots as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, left, and forward Kelly Olynyk celebrate after a basket during the first half of their preseason game against the Clippers on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Clippers center Mason Plumlee grabs a rebound in front of the Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Former Seattle SuperSonics player and coach Lenny Wilkens, right, sits courtside during the first half of a preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard handles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen defends during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker, right, drives to the basket as Clippers forward Moussa Diabate, defends during the second half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue watches from the sideline during the first half of their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler, left, and the Clippers’ Moussa Diabate reach for a rebound during the second half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George claps during the second half of their preseason game against the Clippers on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers guard Jordan Miller handles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Luka Samanic defends during the second half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Clippers’ Moussa Diabate, center, and the Utah Jazz’s Omer Yurtseven, right, reach for a rebound during the second half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Clippers rookie Kobe Brown shoots as the Utah Jazz’s Omer Yurtseven (77) defends during the second half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker handles the ball as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the first half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker, left, gestures after making a 3-point shot during the second half of their preseason game against the Clippers on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Clippers forward Kenyon Martin Jr. makes a face after a collision during the second half of their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn drives to the basket as Clippers guards Kobe Brown, left, and Xavier Moon defend during the second half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, grabs a rebound during the second half of their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker, left, and Clippers guard Amir Coffey chat during a pause in play in the second half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey shoots as the Utah Jazz’s Luka Samanic defends during the second half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn, right, shoots as Clippers guard Amir Coffey defends during the second half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers guard Xavier Moon shoots during the second half of their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Clippers’ Xavier Moon, left, and rookie Jordan Miller react after a basket during the second half of their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn reaches back to catch a pass as Clippers guard Kobe Brown, right, watches during the second half of their preseason game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer does his best to pump up the crowd before the preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
A Seattle Sonics fan holds a sign before the preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer addresses the crowd before the team’s preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Fans wearing Seattle SuperSonics jerseys cheer during a T-shirt toss during a timeout in the second half of a preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer does his best to pump up the crowd before the preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Clippers players, including guard Amir Coffey, center, huddle before their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook reacts as he is introduced before their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
A general view of the preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
A fan in a Kevin Durant Seattle Sonics jersey takes their seat before a preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
A fan poses in a Seattle Sonics cap and jersey before a preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
A Seattle Sonics fan holds a sign before the preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Former Seattle Storm star Sue Bird, left, and former USWNT soccer star Megan Rapinoe pose for a photo before a preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Seattle Mariners players Marco Gonzales, left, and J.P. Crawford cheer during the second half of the preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens, left, talks with Utah Jazz assistant coach Jason Terry before a preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin talks with a fan during the second half of a preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue answers questions before their preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A fan in a Seattle Sonics hard hat looks toward the Space Needle before a preseason game between the Clippers and the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE — Kawhi Leonard scored a team-high 16 points and the Clippers evened their preseason record with a 103-98 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in the second annual “Rain City Classic.”
Two days after the teams squared off in Honolulu, the Clippers got the better of the Jazz in the rematch at Climate Pledge Arena. Point guard Russell Westbrook and veteran forward Nicolas Batum, both healthy scratches on Sunday, made their preseason debuts but three Clippers sat out with injuries and starting center Ivica Zubac played just five minutes before taking a seat.
The team opened training camp fully healthy last week, but Zubac (back spasms), guard Norman Powell (strained left groin), forward Marcus Morris Sr. (strained left groin) and guard Brandon Boston Jr. (knee contusion) are all on the team’s injury report.
The Clippers, who have just two exhibition games remaining before their Oct. 25 season opener against Portland, do have a pair of healthy All-Star wings.
Leonard shot 5 for 12 from the field (4 for 10 from 3-point range) in his 20 minutes, while Paul George had three points, four rebounds and five assists in 20 minutes on a rough shooting night (1 for 9 overall, 1 for 6 from 3-point range).
Westbrook made his return to the city that drafted him, when the SuperSonics made the former UCLA and Leuzinger High standout the fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft. The team left for Oklahoma City before Westbrook got a chance to suit up in Seattle. The former league MVP was held scoreless in 15 minutes but had five rebounds, three assists, two steals and three turnovers while missing his only shot – a 3-point attempt.
The Clippers pulled Leonard, George and Westbrook with a 49-39 lead at halftime, but the cushion grew to 19 points before the Jazz erased most of it before the end of the third quarter.
Robert Covington started and finished with 11 points, three rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals in 22 minutes for the Clippers. Amir Coffey scored 15 points off the bench, Moussa Diabate had nine points, six rebounds, three blocks and two steals in 23 minutes and Xavier Moon had nine points.
Former Laker Talen Horton-Tucker had 24 points on 9-for-18 shooting and seven assists to pace the Jazz (1-1). Lauri Markkanen had 16 points and eight rebounds, Jordan Clarkson had 12 points and five assists and rookie Keyonte George had 10 points and five assists.
