{"id":13167,"date":"2024-12-22T06:02:14","date_gmt":"2024-12-22T06:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=13167"},"modified":"2024-12-22T06:02:14","modified_gmt":"2024-12-22T06:02:14","slug":"instant-analysis-lakers-secure-impressive-road-win-over-kings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=13167","title":{"rendered":"Instant Analysis: Lakers Secure Impressive Road Win Over Kings.."},"content":{"rendered":"
Los Angeles Lakers hold on to win a close game against the Kings thanks to 32 points from LeBron James.<\/div>\n
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Just two nights after beating the\u00a0Sacramento Kings\u00a0on their home court (Golden 1 Center), the\u00a0Los Angeles Lakers\u00a0have just defeated them again for their third straight win (103-99). The Lakers, who are 6-9 on the road this season (16-12 overall), are now 6th in the West with 54 games left to play.<\/p>\n

The game began with both teams essentially trading baskets, and neither side gained any kind of separation from the other. By halftime, the Lakers were hanging on by three points and it told the story of the entire game. While the Kings were always within striking distance, the Lakers were seemingly in full control down the stretch and it\u00a0allowed them to secure the narrow four-point victory.<\/p>\n

LeBron James\u00a0was the player of the game for the Lakers with 32 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals on 13-24 shooting. He got some help from\u00a0Austin Reaves, who dropped 16 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds to make up for a cold shooting night from\u00a0Anthony Davis\u00a0(10 points on 4-10 shooting). Off the bench,\u00a0D’Angelo Russell\u00a0finished with 20 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds on 7-13 shooting.<\/p>\n

On the other side,\u00a0Domantas Sabonis\u00a0was lighting it up for the Kings with 19 points, 19 rebounds, and 5 assists in 37 minutes.\u00a0De’Aaron Fox\u00a0also had a hot scoring night and finished with 31 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds in 38 minutes. Veteran forward\u00a0DeMar DeRozan\u00a0tallied 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals on 4-10 shooting.<\/p>\n

As division rivals, the Lakers and Kings are well acquainted by now and there are still some matchups left to play this season. But as far as this particular game goes, the Lakers got the upper hand and they showed some positive signs on both ends of the floor that they can build on as the season progresses.<\/p>\n

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Another Masterpiece From The King<\/h2>\n

There’s no question that LeBron James was the catalyst behind the Lakers’ win tonight. After a stretch of rough play from him, he was eager for a redemption game, and that’s exactly what he had tonight with 32 points (13-24 FG), 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in 34 minutes.<\/p>\n

Most of the scoring came in the first half. As the Lakers struggled to get into a rhythm, James carried them offensively with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. He had only missed three shots and was a +14. While LeBron did cool off a bit in the second half, it’s still impressive that he’s able to put up these monster numbers at 39 years old.<\/p>\n

Of course, besides the scoring, LeBron was making plays for his teammates and being the leader that we all know him to be. If he can play like this consistently, and stay healthy all year, the Lakers may not be in as rough shape as some people believe.<\/p>\n

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The Role Players Stepped Up<\/h2>\n

The modern NBA is all about depth and while the Lakers may not be as stacked as the\u00a0Celtics\u00a0or\u00a0Thunder, they still have some pieces capable of contributing in multiple ways. The Lakers are at their best when the supporting cast is filling their role and they played it to perfection tonight.<\/p>\n

In the starting lineup,\u00a0Rui Hachimura\u00a0couldn’t buy a three-pointer (1-5 from beyond the arc) but he helped in other ways, like crashing the glass with 11 rebounds. He and Davis alone combined for 26 boards. D’Angelo Russell also played a key factor in the game with his shooting (3-7 from three) and passing (5 assists off the bench).<\/p>\n

When LeBron James has the supporter needs, it makes the Lakers a much more difficult team to deal with and it allows them to still win games even when Anthony Davis is having an off night.<\/p>\n

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Lock-Down Defense Set The Tone<\/h2>\n

The Lakers have been criticized for their defensive ineptitude in the past but this current win streak has seen some of their best defensive performances of the season. In back-to-back games against the Kings, the Lakers held them to 100 points or less on both nights.<\/p>\n

Today, the Kings dropped 99 points on 43.3% shooting. After going 10-37 from three, and effectively getting shut down offensively, the Kings were unable to close the gap and suffered their third straight loss.<\/p>\n

With Anthony Davis anchoring the paint and key defenders like Rui Hachimura,\u00a0Max Christie, and LeBron James containing the perimeter, the Lakers have finally found their defensive identity and it couldn’t have come at a better time. If they can climb higher than 20th defensively, it will unlock a whole new level of dominance for the franchise.<\/p>\n

This latest win was one of the more impressive for the Lakers this season, but the job is far from over. In fact, the hard work has barely begun.<\/p>\n

After the win today, the Lakers will take their momentum back to the Crypto.com arena, where they will try to defend their homecourt against the\u00a0Detroit Pistons\u00a0at 10:30 PM EST. On Christmas, they play the\u00a0Golden State Warriors\u00a0at Chase Center before another matchup with the Kings on December 28th at 10:30 PM EST.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Los Angeles Lakers hold on to win a close game against the Kings thanks to 32 points from LeBron James. 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