The Lakers make short work of the Kings

Twenty-four hours after theirs great success in Golden Statethe Lakers confirmed by dominating the Kings on their home field, concluding the consecutive victory with a controlled victory (128-104).

The game starts with a shot from the middle by DeMar DeRozan and it will be the only basket for the Kings in the first minutes. The Lakers immediately responded with a 10-0 run, marked by a spectacular attack between Austin Reaves and LeBron James, which was first started by the aggressive defense of Marcus Smart.

Sacramento tries to limit the damage thanks to Nick Clifford and Russell Westbrook, but Los Angeles quickly takes control. Luka Doncic scored two three-pointers in quick succession, and the Lakers ended the first quarter with a 13-4 lead and an 18-point lead (36-18).

Luke Kennard opens the second quarter with a game-winning shot, answered by Malik Monk, and Sacramento turns up the defensive intensity, causing some turnovers. Smart and Doncic return from behind the arc, while Maxi Kleber hits the bench hard on Luka’s pass. Tension rises briefly with Monk’s technical foul after a collision with Kleber.

More served, Deandre Ayton is perfect in shooting (5/5 on the break for 10 points). The Lakers’ lead grows to +22, but 12 points from Westbrook and a decline in skill allow the Kings to go back to -15 at halftime (64-49).

Discreet comeback attempt

Sacramento came back strong after the break, with the stunning Clifford as “the girl” and finally some skill: 66% shooting in the quarter. Three minutes into the second half, the Lakers’ lead dropped to 10 points. The new Reaves–LeBron offense stops the opposing team’s momentum and starts a 10-2 run. Doncic then caught fire, scoring five straight points and then two more game-winning shots, including a spectacular one off a skate, to push the Kings back by 19 lengths. Clifford is everywhere, but at the end of the third quarter, Los Angeles leads by 20 points (96-76).

The Lakers start the last quarter with two free throws by James after the opponent lost the ball. Smart hits his third 3-point shot as Kleber nails another thunderous dunk. After two game-winning shots, James also goes for his furious dunk. JJ Redick is then able to eject LeBron with seven minutes left, and the bench completes the demonstration, with a particularly impressive dunk by Adou Thier. Final victory, 128-104, before facing the Pelicans.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Calendar infernal. With these back-to-backs against the Warriors and Kings, the Lakers begin a stretch of five weeks without two straight days off. This week, they take on the Pelicans on Tuesday, then continue on Thursday and Friday with back-to-back games against the Nuggets and Pacers before hosting the Knicks on Sunday.

Kings starters. Maxime Rayno held the place with 16 points and 13 rebounds, but he also lost 6 balls, and Deandre Ayton scored 12 points on 6 of 6 shots. On his side, Nick Clifford used his tenure to shine with 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.