Maybe the best way to drum up interest in your league is to have a lockout afterall! The NBA, fresh off the heels of a lockout and still reeling a bit from weeks of drama around the trade of Chris Paul, enjoyed some encouraging renewed interest as the Clippers - Lakers preseason exhibition drew some impressive numbers in viewership.
@briancmahoney
Brian Mahoney As @HowardBeckNYT predicted, Clippers-Lakers was most-watched preseason game on NBA TV. 509,000 viewers, tops 501K for Heat's Big 3 debut.
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The Clippers won the game 114-95 and featured superstars on both teams - Kobe Bryant with the Lakers, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin for the Clips. LA transplant Chris Paul stole the show in just 24 minutes, scoring 17 points, dishing out nine assists, grabbing seven rebounds, and gathering five steals.