SACRAMENTO, California (AP) – LeBron James scored 25 points and recently signed Tyson Chandler had 12 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 101-86 Saturday night.
The Lakers, who began the season with three straight losses, moved to .500 (6-6) for the first time this season by holding the Kings, who entered the game averaging 118 points per contest, to their lowest scoring total of the season.
It was only the second time Sacramento has been held below 100 points this season, and it marked the first time Los Angeles had held an opponent below 100.
James hit three 3-pointers and had seven rebounds. He only had two assists, though he often fed teammates for open shots that missed – including Lonzo Ball, who was 2 for 10 from the field.
Chandler, playing in his second game with the Lakers, logged 23 minutes and scored three points. Los Angeles has won four of its last five.
De’Aaron Fox had 17 of his 21 points in the first half to lead the Kings, who shot 35 percent from the field and went 6-for-25 on 3-pointers.
The Lakers were ahead by six points at the half and held a 76-65 lead entering the fourth quarter. They built that lead to 20 points at 88-68 before the Kings responded with a 10-0 run, but Sacramento got no closer.
TIP-INS
Lakers: The previous low by a Lakers opponent this season was 110 points. … Ball missed all six of his 3-point attempts, most of them wide open. … There were plenty of Los Angeles fans in the stands, and several “Let’s Go Lakers” chants in the fourth quarter.
Kings: Sacramento’s 44 points in the first half matched a season low. … The Kings had scored 100 or more points in each of their seven previous contests. … Sacramento is now 2-1 in the second game of back-to-back contests this season.