© Kirby Lee | 2019 Nov 13
By BETH HARRIS
LOS ANGELES (AP) LeBron James had 23 points and 12 assists in three quarters, Kyle Kuzma added 22 points starting for Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers rolled past the hobbled Golden State Warriors 120-94 on Wednesday night.
The Lakers improved their NBA-best record to 9-2 without Davis, who was held out because of a sore right shoulder.
James & Co. didn’t waste any time breaking out against the Warriors. He won the opening tip and JaVale McGee scored off his alley-oop pass. James keyed a 12-0 run with six points in the first quarter when the Lakers shot 70 percent and made five 3-pointers. Their 38 points tied a season high for points in a quarter.
Los Angeles extended its lead to 18 points in the second. The Warriors scored 11 in a row to get within seven, but the Lakers quickly restored their lead to double digits at halftime. James’ vicious one-handed dunk riled up the crowd. Their 67 points tied a season high for points in a half.
McGee finished with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
Former Laker D’Angelo Russell scored 21 points for the Warriors, who lost their fifth in a row and fell to 2-10, worst in the West.
Golden State is but a shadow of the franchise that made five straight NBA Finals appearances. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are injured, and Kevin Durant departed in the offseason.
Twice the Lakers led by 23 in the third, the second time on a 3-pointer by Dwight Howard. He finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.
Los Angeles extended its lead to 26 in the fourth. McGee’s one-handed reverse dunk highlighted a 14-5 opening run.
James sat out the final period, but he still assisted, pulling Davis and DeMarcus Cousins out of their seats to join the team during a timeout.
TIP-INS
Warriors: Their five-game winning streak against the Lakers in LA ended. Golden State had won 10 of 11 overall in the series. … Draymond Green had 10 points in his second game after missing five straight with a left index finger sprain.
Lakers: Davis is expected to return Friday. … Rajon Rondo (mild right calf strain) sat out but will return for the next back-to-back on Nov. 22-23. … They are 5-1 at home. … Their only losses have been to the Clippers and Raptors.
UP NEXT
Warriors: Host Boston on Friday, one of just two home games during a 10-game stretch that has them traveling from Houston to Minneapolis to New Orleans.
Lakers: Host Sacramento on Friday in a game that brings ex-Lakers coach Luke Walton back to Staples Center. They went 3-1 against the Kings last season.