Lakers
Lakers' Three-Point Blitz Sinks Kings in Preseason Opener
The Lakers beat the Kings 127-103 at Golden 1 Center, pulling away in the second quarter and leading by as many as 33. Los Angeles shot 20-for-44 from three-point range to Sacramento's 4-for-23, the difference in a preseason game that doesn't affect the standings.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 16 d ago01The story of the nightLakers Take Control in the SecondLakers led 36-28 after one quarter, then outscored the Kings 37-19 in the second to go up 73-47 at the half.
Lakers led 36-28 after one quarter, then outscored the Kings 37-19 in the second to go up 73-47 at the half. Sacramento never got closer than 5 points all night and trailed by as many as 33. The Kings won the third quarter 30-26 to cut into the margin, but a 28-26 fourth from Los Angeles closed it out. Both teams had 6 lead changes, all of them before the Lakers' second-quarter surge put the game away.
02Doncic and the Bench Lead the WayLuka Doncic scored 21 points on 5-for-12 shooting, including 3-for-9 from three, with 5 turnovers in just 16 minutes.
Luka Doncic scored 21 points on 5-for-12 shooting, including 3-for-9 from three, with 5 turnovers in just 16 minutes. Cameron Carr came off the bench for 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting. Quentin Grimes added 16 points on 5-for-7 shooting, and Ziaire Williams scored 13 on 4-for-6, going 3-for-3 from deep. For Sacramento, Nique Clifford led all scorers with 23 points and 9 rebounds off the bench, and Darius Acuff Jr. scored 19 points on 8-for-17 shooting with 4 assists and 5 turnovers.
03The Three-Point Line Decided ItLos Angeles shot 20-for-44 from three-point range; Sacramento shot just 4-for-23.
Los Angeles shot 20-for-44 from three-point range; Sacramento shot just 4-for-23. That 16-make gap outweighed the Kings' edges inside, where Sacramento outscored the Lakers in the paint 52-40 and out-rebounded them 55-49. The Lakers turned the ball over 21 times to Sacramento's 26, and turned Kings turnovers into 32 points compared to 19 for the Kings off Lakers turnovers. Los Angeles also ran, scoring 24 fast-break points to Sacramento's 16, and got 69 points from its bench to the Kings' 66.
04What It MeansIt's a preseason game, so neither team's record moves and nothing here affects the standings.
It's a preseason game, so neither team's record moves and nothing here affects the standings. For the Lakers, the shooting from Doncic, Carr, Grimes and Williams, plus 15 steals and 32 points off turnovers, is an encouraging early sign for the rotation. For the Kings, the 4-for-23 night from three and 26 turnovers are the numbers the staff will want cleaned up before games start counting.
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