Clippers’ reserves crush Maccabi Ra’anana in preseason opener

SEATTLE — Most of the Clippers’ rotation players sat out their preseason opener Friday night, but that had little effect on the outcome.

Luke Kennard scored 16 points, Moses Brown added 14 points and 13 rebounds and the Clippers dominated Israeli club Maccabi Ra’anana, 121-81.

Michael Devoe also had 14 points, while Robert Covington added 13 points for the Clippers. Anthony Morse led Maccabi Ra’anana with 20 points, while Jason Siggers had 15.

Moussa Diabate, the Clippers’ only pick in the June draft (No. 43 overall), finished with 14 points, hitting all five of his shots and grabbing seven rebounds.

Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, newcomer John Wall, center Ivica Zubac, forwards Nicolas Batum and Norman Powell and guard Reggie Jackson all sat out for the Clippers.

The game was a return to Seattle for the NBA, which left the Pacific Northwest city in 2008, with the SuperSonics relocating to Oklahoma City as the Thunder. And some SuperSonics royalty returned for the game, such as former players Shawn Kemp and Detlef Schrempf, along with Lenny Wilkens, who both played and coached in Seattle.

Maccabi Ra’anana, was really never in the contest, trailing 65-30 at the half as the Clippers shot 51% before the break, including a 9-for-13 showing from 3-point range. The lead was 94-59 at the end of the third quarter.

Maccabi Ra’anana will play two more games on their tour of the United States, on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers and Sunday against Oklahoma City.