The The Angeles Lakers know they won’t always feel or play like the defending NBA champions, although with the presence of Anthony Davies and Lebron James, anything is possible on the track.
As both demonstrated in the second consecutive game against the San Antonio Spurs. Anthony Davis scored 35 points and 11 rebounds and LeBron James added 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.s as the Lakers rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 109-103
The Lakers they closed the game on a 9-0 streak for their second win against the Spurs in three days.
A persistent Lakers
“We persist in our struggles,” Los Angeles coach Frank Vogel said. “That is going to happen from time to time. In a 72-game season, you’re going to have some victories that are uglier than others. We knew that going into this season, with the quick change, there was going to be some bad nights. The key is finding a way to win when you are not at your best, “he said.
The Lakers found a way to win by attacking the paint late against the Spurs youth core.
The forward of San Antonio, Keldon Johnson blocked James’ layup attempt, but Kyle Kuzma leaned on follow-up to give the Lakers a 105-103 lead with 53.9 seconds left.. James followed with a tray and Davis closed the scoring with two free throws.
Johnson record
Johnson had a career-high 26 points and added 10 rebounds for his fourth 20-plus game in two seasons. Only the Hall of Fame member Tim Duncan had more than 20-point efforts in the first 25 games of his career with the Spurs, getting six during his rookie season.
“He’s a competitor,” said the San Antonio coach, Gregg Popovich, on Johnson. “He’s a good young player and he’s going to have a great career.. That’s all I can say. It has been wonderful. “
Unlike the Wednesday’s loss 121-107, the Spurs were able to keep up with the Lakers from the start. “We played on a great basketball team, and we were also a good basketball team tonight,” Popovich said. “So, he was happy with his game.”
The Lakers take the initiative
The Lakers picked up the pace to start the second half, resulting in a lead of 10-2 in fast break points and a 64-57 lead in the third quarter. Los Angeles closed the game with a 12-9 advantage in fast break points.
The Lakers guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, exited in the second half after slightly spraining his left ankle when he took an awkward step for a tray. Caldwell-Pope remained on the ground for about a minute before being assisted off the court. He had 11 points before leaving with 8:31 left in the third quarter.
DeMar DeRozan had 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for San Antonio, who has lost three in a row after opening the season with two wins.
The Spurs guard, Derrick White, scored nine points in 23 minutes in his season debut after undergoing toe surgery in the off season.
