LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead Lakers to victory over Spurs in exciting showdown | NBA news

LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead the Lakers to victory over the Spurs in an exciting showdown
Image via: Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the way Los Angeles Lakers to a 117-99 victory over San Antonio Spurs. While Davis scored 19 points and 14 rebounds, James added a triple-double with 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. The highlight of the game came from the battle between Davis and the Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama. Although Wembanyama put up an impressive 20 points and 10 rebounds, it was the Lakers’ veteran duo that proved too much for the young Spurs squad.

The LA Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs

Adding to the stellar performances of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, rookie Dalton Knecht scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, helping the Lakers end their three-game losing streak. D’Angelo Russell played aggressively on offense and finished with 17 points and five assists in the game. Los Angeles built a 15-point lead in the first half, but San Antonio narrowed the gap to eight before Austin Reaves hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Thus, the Spurs pushed the Lakers ahead with 58-47 at the break. Spurs guard Devin Vassell returned from a five-game injury layoff to contribute 14 points in the loss.

Max Christie had a valuable contribution off the bench with 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block. Rui Hachimura added 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block. The Lakers struggled at first, but found their footing in the game when Dalton Knecht hit double figures. Victor Wembanyama started strong for the Spurs with a block on Anthony Davis and a 3-pointer. Davis dominated the boards as he grabbed six of the Lakers’ 12 rebounds. By the end of the first, the Lakers had a nine-point lead.
The Lakers kept their dominance going in the second quarter. D’Angelo Russell scored 11 points, nearly perfect from the field. He hit his second 3-pointer to extend the lead to 14, but San Antonio’s defense tightened up and cut the gap to eight. The Lakers responded by forcing contested shots and Austin Reaves hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that pushed LA’s lead back to 11 at halftime.
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The Spurs started the final quarter with a layup, but D’Angelo Russell answered with another 3-pointer. Additionally, Julian Champagnie held San Antonio to a three to cut the lead to 10. Austin Reaves hit a crucial three to extend the Lakers’ lead. James and Davis came on even stronger in the fourth, and Dalton Knecht added five quick points to push the lead to 19. Finally, the Lakers secured the win.