Lakers win their 3rd straight in back and forth battle vs. Kings.
After coming off a five-point win over the Timberwolves, the Lakers win their third straight to remain undefeated in the new year, besting the Kings 122–114 to improve their record above .500 at 20–19.
With under a minute to go in a back and forth battle, LeBron James gave the Lakers a six-point lead after attacking the paint for an and-1 bucket over former Laker Damian Jones to put the game away and seal the victory for LA.
A huge part of the success came from LA's ball security and decision-making, with the Lakers committing a season-low five turnovers in tonight's victory over Sacramento.
LeBron spoke on the Lakers turnover differential after the game, saying: "That's the reason we won the game. We won the game because we did not turn the ball over tonight. When we get shots at the goal, we can be very dangerous."
LeBron James' outstanding 2021 campaign continues in the new year, scoring over 30 points in eight of the last nine games, including today, finishing with a game-high 31 points on 46% (12 for 26) shooting while adding five assists and five rebounds in 36 minutes of action.
Since coming back from health and safety protocol, Malik Monk has been one of the biggest boosts in the Lakers lineup, scoring over 20 points in the last six games, where he's averaged 20 points scoring in that span.
Monk continued his success in tonight's win, finishing second on the Lakers in scoring with 24 points on 53% shooting, knocking down six threes as he finished 6 for 11 (54%) from deep.
After coming off a nine turnover performance, Russell Westbrook answered back with a stellar zero turnover game, the lowest he's had since 2016, giving the Lakers 19 point performance and a game-high 17 plus(+)/(-)minus in 33 minutes tonight.
Talen-Horton Tucker was able to break out of his shooting slump for the Lakers, scoring 19 points on 69% shooting overall, adding six assists, four rebounds, and a 14 plus(+)/(-)minus in 33 minutes off the bench for the purple and gold.
Dwight Howard had an impact on the glass in his first appearance in two games for the Lakers, giving them exactly what they needed on the boards. In 21 minutes of action, Howard finished with 14 points on 50% shooting and 14 rebounds, 9 of which came on the offensive end for the Lakers.
The Lakers' next matchup comes at home in their third game of a four-game home stretch this Friday against the 16–20 Atlanta Hawks.