Lakers checkmate Kings behind a big performance from LeBron

LeBron James steps up big to secure the win for the Lakers on the road versus the Kings.

A hard-fought battle ends with the Lakers beating the Kings again, 103-99, Saturday afternoon.

LeBron James was in intense attack mode. He had 23 points in the first half alone. He ended the game with 32 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Anthony Davis had a slow offensive game, scoring just 10 points, but his defense was huge with three blocks. He also grabbed 15 rebounds and dished five dimes.

D’Angelo Russell had 20 massive points off the bench. Austin Reaves pitched in with 16 points, four rebounds and five assists. Gabe Vincent went two for three from behind the arc for six points.

The game ball, however, has to go to Rui Hachimura. He secured the win for the team with a crucial ball swat to create an extra possession for LA after two missed free throws by Davis with just over 12 seconds remaining. He ended with nine points and 11 rebounds, and the team doesn’t win this game without his final one.

The Lakers’ defensive intensity was high to start the game. AD had two rejections early and the rest of the team was suffocating the Kings. LeBron was not just dishing dimes, one of which was a bounce pass to Rui for a dunk. He was also attacking the paint. L.A, went up eight.

Austin converted on two midrange jumpers of his own. Rui was on the receiving end of another pass, a lob from Austin, for his second dunk. The Kings were down six and were slowly started to creep back into it.

DeMar DeRozan had a ferocious dunk and the Kings found themselves within four. Gabe came into the game and knocked down a 3-pointer. At the end of the first, Los Angeles was up five. LeBron scored 12 points in the quarter.

Sacramento cut the deficit to three to start the second quarter. LeBron attacked the paint again for a layup that turned into an and-1 as he was fouled and converted on the free throw.

The Lakers maintained good defense while AD was still on the bench.

LeBron was extremely fired up and kept attacking the Kings. L.A. was up to 11 fastbreak points to the Kings’ depressing two. AD was not scoring well, but his defensive presence was massive for the team.

At the halfway point of the quarter, the Lakers were only up two. They were on a two-minute scoring drought and the Kings took advantage, going up by two. Both teams exchanged a few baskets, tying the game and taking the lead from each other.

At halftime, the Lakers were up three.

The second half began with both teams taking turns with the lead. Sacramento looked better offensively, while Los Angeles missed a few shots. At the first timeout, the Lakers were down one.

Rui finally made a 3-pointer after missing three attempts to put L.A. back up. The Kings looked much better offensively, making the shots they missed in the first half.

AD finally looked like he was finding an offensive rhythm, making three shots. The game was a close battle throughout the quarter. Neither team was able to distance themselves much. Gabe and Fox exchanged 3-pointers.

At the end of the third, L.A. was up four.

LeBron started things off offensively for the Lakers in the final frame. The Lakers jumped ahead by six on the shoulders of the King. Cam Reddish’s defense shined with a steal that led to an and-1.

L.A. did a decent job keeping the lead, but the Kings got to within two. Once the Kings tied it, the Lakers responded, going back up by six. Sacramento missed many opportunities to shave some points off the deficit.

Los Angeles was on fire, going up by 10 on an 11-2 run. Fox then scored five quick points to make it a five-point game. Fox missed a wide-open three that could’ve been lethal, but then Domantas Sabonis converted on an and-1 opportunity, making it a two-point game.

Seconds were going off the clock and the Lakers were nursing that two-point lead by an extremely thin hair.

With 12 seconds left, Malik Monk committed a stupid foul sending AD to the line. Unfortunately for L.A., Davis missed both shots. Rui then swatted the ball out to Austin and he grabbed it and was fouled. He made both free throws to seal the win.

Key Takeaways:

Make those wide-open threes!

LeBron James? LeBron James.

The Lakers have improved by leaps and bounds by being able to answer back each time the opposing team tries to take the momentum.

The extra effort has been great for the Lakers these last few games. They’ve been trying to grab every rebound, diving for loose balls and making the right plays.

The Lakers’ next game will be Monday against the Detroit Pistons at 7:30 PM PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.