SACRAMENTO -- There is no quit in Luke Walton’s young Laker squad. In front of a wild mixed crowd in Sacramento, the Kings fell apart in the second half and were toppled by Los Angeles by a final of 101-91.
Lou Williams led the way for the Lake-show, scoring 11 of his 19 points in the deciding fourth quarter. The veteran guard ent 3-for-5 from long range off Walton’s bench.
D’Angelo Russell dropped in eight of his 17 points while the Lakers were climbing back into the game during the third quarter.
Julius Randle attacked the rim for the, coming away with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Nick Young chipped in 16 as the Lakers moved to 6-4 on the season.
The guard-heavy Lakers had no answer for DeMarcus Cousins in the first half, but they clamped down on Sacramento’s cornerstone after the break. Cousins still managed to score 28 points on 10-for-25 shooting and he added nine rebounds and four assists in the loss.
Darren Collison came off coach Dave Joerger’s bench and couldn’t find his range. The veteran point guard struggled to a 2-of-11 night from the field for six points. He still managed to dish out a game-high nine assists, but he looked rusty all game.
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Rudy Gay continued his strong early season performance on the offensive end, finishing the night with 15 points on 6-for-13 shooting while grabbing eight rebounds.
Ty Lawson scored 11 points and Arron Afflalo added nine points and grabbed six rebounds.
STAT OF THE NIGHT -- Ty Lawson came into the contest 0-for-15 over his previous three games. He hit his first shot attempt in the first quarter and finished the night with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
STANDOUT PERFORMER -- Five players scored in double-figures as the Lakers stable of young players kept coming at the Kings in waves. They had a rough start to the game, but Los Angeles finished with a fury.
TURNING POINT -- Gay’s runner missed with just under two minutes remaining and the Kings trailing by seven. Cousins tried to tip it in, but it rolled off the rim and into the Lakers hands. That pretty much sums up the second half for Sacramento.
INJURY UPDATE -- Sacramento has 15 healthy bodies on the roster as they head out on the road.
WHAT'S NEXT -- The Kings travel to Portland following the game where they will face the Trail Blazers Friday evening on the second night of a back-to-back.
