Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Lakers too much for Kings
Luka Doncic scored 28 points with nine assists and LeBron James added 24 points as the Los Angeles Lakers completed a successful back-to-back with a 128-104 victory over the visiting Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton each scored 12 points as the Lakers returned home for the victory one day after earning an easy win at Golden State to end a three-game losing streak
Los Angeles shot 50.0% from the floor overall (47 of 94) and 46.2% from 3-point range (18 of 39) to start a stretch where the Lakers play seven of eight games at home through March 14.
Nique Clifford poured in 26 points and Maxime Raynaud added 16 points with 13 rebounds for the Kings, who dropped to 2-2 since ending a franchise-record 16-game losing streak.
Russell Westbrook scored 14 points against his former team as Sacramento went 2-3 on a just-completed five-game road trip.
The Lakers won three of the four games against the Kings this season.
Los Angeles took charge early, grabbing its first double-digit lead at 19-8 with 5:55 remaining in the first quarter. A mere four minutes later, the Lakers were up 34-14 and ended the opening period with a 36-18 advantage after Doncic scored 12 points.
The Lakers pushed their advantage to as many as 22 points in the second quarter and led 64-49 at halftime by shooting 51.2% from the floor and forcing 12 Kings turnovers. Sacramento had a 27-18 rebounding advantage in the first half but went 2 of 14 from 3-point range.
The Kings opened the second half on an 11-6 run to get within 70-60 before the Lakers put together a 13-2 run for an 83-62 lead with 4:40 left in the third quarter. Los Angeles took a 96-76 lead after James made a 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer.
A Marcus Smart steal and fast-break dunk from James gave the Lakers a 105-81 lead with 9:43 left and the Kings never threatened from there.