Lakers keep pushing pace without Anthony Davis, outrun Kings for fifth win in a row

It’s been slightly little bit of necessity driving invention, however the Lakers appear to have discovered a solution to handle life with out Anthony Davis.

By some means, since shedding their star heart greater than three weeks in the past, the crew has even managed to play successful basketball, navigating journey and back-to-back video games and accidents piling up past Davis’.

They’ve carried out it with elevated competitiveness, a better sense of urgency from LeBron James on down, and by function gamers benefiting from extra minutes and photographs.

All of it, although, has been constructed on the again of enjoying with a sprinter’s tempo.

“There’s actually no scout for velocity,” Lakers guard Russell Westbrook stated after the Lakers gained their fourth straight sport Friday night time.

One night time later in Sacramento, they have been at it once more, racing step for step with a few of the quickest legs within the NBA.

And one way or the other, they by no means slowed down.

After 47 minutes 53.2 seconds, a tie rating and 268 factors, it appeared as if the Lakers would have an opportunity to win the sport — two Dennis Schroder free throws awaiting them after a foul on De’Aaron Fox, who had tied the rating a possession earlier.

On an evening the place every thing moved quick, the sport all of the sudden stopped for a foul overview triggered by Sacramento coach Mike Brown.

The problem was unsuccessful, and as cowbells clanged, Schroder buried the 2 free throws, the Lakers successful 136-134.

Fox had a last-second three-pointer to try to win, however for one of many few instances all night time, the ball didn’t go in.

LeBron James scored 37 factors,

Schroder had 27 factors, and Thomas Bryant had 29 factors and 14 rebounds. Westbrook completed with 23 factors and 15 assists off the bench, the Lakers now simply two video games below .500.

It was a sport filled with factors and drama.

With one minute left and the Lakers down two factors, there was only one place they may look.

James barreled by way of the paint, drawing the sixth foul on Domantas Sabonis, scoring and making a go-ahead free throw — the type of load-management-defying enjoying no 38-year-old NBA star ought to be making one night time after dominating in Los Angeles.

The James bucket was in response to a slick step-back jumper from Fox put the Kings up in a sport the place each groups refused to be stopped.

From the bounce, each offenses hummed, the Lakers scoring a season-high 73 factors within the first half.

The depth required for the Lakers to win with out Davis actually must be draining, with minutes beginning to pile up on the gamers, particularly James.

However Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated he and his crew are dedicated to the marathon nature of the season, even when Saturday was only one sport shy of the midway level of the yr.

“I see it because the glass half full. I see a ton of potential,” Ham stated earlier than the sport. “Once I was employed right here, I used to be enthusiastic about the entire means of turning this factor round. And the kind of guys we obtained within the locker room, it’s loads of discuss our roster on a regular basis. However to me, when you actually put within the work and you actually purchase into the group concept and what we’re making an attempt to get carried out as a unit, you set your self up for a ton of success.”

Lakers heart Thomas Bryant, who completed with 29 factors and 14 rebounds, battles Kings ahead Keegan Murray for a unfastened ball.

(José Luis Villegas / Related Press)

The Lakers, for the previous couple of weeks, have skilled some, climbing again into postseason competition.

And Saturday in Sacramento, loads of these strengths didn’t waver.

James was as soon as once more an age-defying, high-jumping bulldozer. Schroder continued his greatest run of basketball of the season. Bryant’s fill-in work for Davis remained exceptional.

And Westbrook had certainly one of his greatest video games since becoming a member of the Lakers.

If there was an issue, it was as soon as once more turnovers — although that’s a little bit of a essential evil when you’re going to run the best way the Lakers have been working.

On Saturday, that they had 17 turnovers — together with a pair late from James.

Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is fouled by Kings guard Kevin Huerter (9) on a drive. Westbrook had 23 factors and 15 assists off the bench.

(José Luis Villegas / Related Press)

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Nonetheless, “quick” has been an figuring out trait at a time when “injured” and “undermanned” might have simply taken heart stage.

“I feel we’re capable of keep afloat as a result of guys, they’ll see the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel and the way we’re trending in the suitable path,” Ham stated earlier than the sport. “And it simply motivates them to get that a lot better and to proceed to organize that a lot tougher and proceed to be locked in as a gaggle that rather more. I’m thrilled. I’m not apprehensive. Like I stated in my [first] press convention, that is only a problem. It’s not stress. I embrace all of this day-after-day.

“I find it irresistible. I’m blessed. I thank God day-after-day to be on this seat with this group of individuals, with the help I’ve across the constructing. I’m good, man. We gonna do it.”

On Saturday, they did.