ATTACKING HELPS LEONARD LOCK IN

Celtics have to deal with inspiring Clippers star who gets focus from playing aggressively

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On one of the best stretches of an already accomplished career, Kawhi Leonard will lead the resurgent Los Angeles Clippers against the Boston Celtics on Jan 3 (Jan 4, Singapore time) in Inglewood, California.

The Clippers have made Leonard, 34, the focal point of their offence and the six-time All-Star has put the charge into the team's six-game National Basketball Association (NBA) winning streak.

In just under two weeks, they have delivered as many victories as they had in the first two months of the season.

The team's run of success started with a 103-88 home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec 20 that put a light on an improved defence.

Leonard scored 32 points in that game, went for a career-best 55 on Dec 28 against the Detroit Pistons and has averaged 39 points during the winning streak.

In the Clippers' 118-101 victory over the visiting Utah Jazz on Jan 1, Leonard scored 20 of his 45 points in the fourth quarter when the game remained in doubt after going just one of three from the floor in the third.