Lakers win back-to-back as Reaves, Davis show way vs Kings

Austin Reaves poured in a team-high 25 points, Anthony Davis anchored a double-double with 18 rebounds, and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers opened a two-game sequence against the Sacramento Kings with a 113-100 victory on Thursday, December 19 (Friday, December 20, Manila time).

Davis attached 21 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 6 blocks to his rebound total and LeBron James chipped in with 19 points, a team-high 7 assists, and 6 rebounds for the Lakers, who won their second in a row.

De’Aaron scored a game-high 26 points and Domantas Sabonis accumulated 18 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 blocks for the Kings, who lost their second straight.

The clubs will meet in a rematch, also at Sacramento, on Saturday.

In the second meeting of the Pacific Division rivals this season, the Lakers duplicated their earlier success with a 37-point first quarter that set the tone for the night. Reaves buried a three-pointer 16 seconds into the game to ignite a 15-2, game-opening burst.

Sacramento briefly moved in front in the second period, but the Lakers scored 13 of the half’s final 17 points to go up 62-58 at the break. They led most of the rest of the way.

Reaves’ 25 points, which came on 7-for-14 shooting, were just 2 points fewer than his season high. He also contributed 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

Reaves and Davis each were rewarded with 9 free throws, helping the Lakers gain a 25-15 advantage in points from the foul line.

D’Angelo Russell chipped in with 16 points. Gabe Vincent scored 12, all on three-pointers, and Rui Hachimura added 10 points for the Lakers, who won despite getting outshot 45.1% to 40.9%.

Malik Monk scored 17 points, while DeMar DeRozan and Keegan Murray tallied 10 apiece for the Kings, who hurt themselves with 16 turnovers that the Lakers turned into 22 points. – Rappler.com