Lakers upset interim coach Doug Christie’s Kings with 132-122 win

Anthony Davis had 36 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists as the Los Angeles Lakers beat Sacramento 132-122 on Saturday night in the Kings’ first game under interim coach Doug Christie.

LeBron James did not play for the Lakers due to illness, but a balanced effort helped make up for his absence, led by Austin Reaves with 26 points and a career-high 16 assists. Rui Hachimura had 21 points, Max Christie chipped in with 16 and Dalton Knecht had 18 points off the bench.

Playing for the first time since the firing of Mike Brown on Friday, De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points and 12 assists, while DeMar DeRozan had 25 points.

Los Angeles exploded for 12 straight points to end the third and start the fourth to open a 20-point lead.

[Related: ‘No class, no balls’: NBA coaches react to Kings firing Mike Brown]

Sacramento pulled within 123-117 with less than four minutes left, but Reaves and Christie made sure the home team held on.

The taker

Kings: Doug Christie made 15 years in the NBA because of his commitment to defense. He must instill that in his team after Amakhosi stopped playing 33 balls.

Lakers: Reaves’ play isn’t as important when James is on the roster, but he can distribute the ball when he needs to.

Time is important

Domantas Sabonis picked up his fifth foul with 4:17 left in the third, and the power forward missed as the Lakers pulled away by attacking the paint off the bench. He would foul with 5:20 left in the game.

Key statistics

The Lakers are now 2-1 without James in the lineup, with Hachimura helping in both wins. He had 23 against Portland on Dec. 8.

Next

The Kings will host Dallas on Monday, and the Lakers will continue their four-game series against Cleveland on Tuesday.

It is reported by the Associated Press.

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