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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Smoke from forest fires ravaging northern California has infiltrated the Golden 1 Center, giving LeBron James a headache and allowing Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton, reduce the time allotted to his players on the field.
But the haze did not slow James and the Lakers, who used their best defensive effort of the year to win a 101-86 win Saturday night against the Sacramento Kings, lifting Los Angeles to .500 (6- 6) for the first time. this season.
James scored 25 points and Tyson Chandler recently signed 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who started the season with three straight losses, but have now won four of their last five.
The Lakers held the Kings, who entered the game with an average of 118 points per game, to their lowest point total of the season. It was only the second time Sacramento had been under 100 points this season, and it was the first time Los Angeles had held an opponent below 100.
"We won the game tonight because of our defense," Walton said. "I think we showed some glimpses of that defense, but tonight was the first time we were able to put her up for long periods of time."
James hit three points at three points and had seven rebounds. He had only two assists, even though he often fed his teammates for missed shots on goal, including Lonzo Ball, who was 2 for 10 from the field.
Chandler, who was playing his second game with the Lakers, scored 23 minutes and scored three points. In his first game, the Lakers limited Minnesota to 110 points – which, until the match on Saturday night, was tied at the lowest by all Los Angeles opponents this season.
"For me, the defense has been easy as it comes naturally, but you have to get into the offensive," Chandler said. "The key for us was to go back to the transition, build walls, force them to commit a half-court offense."
James said the Lakers duo of JaVale McGee and Chandler, who totaled 20 rebounds and two flights, solidified a defense that struggled early in the season.
"(Chandler) just consoled our land. We have a great 1-2 shot now with JaVale and Tyson, "said James.
D'Aaron Fox had 17 of his 21 points in the first half to take the lead of the Kings, who shot 35% of the field and 6 points for 25 points. Willie Cauley-Stein added 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Fox said the Lakers had managed to stop the Kings' quick attack by quickly defending the defense.
"They had every shot attempt and they fired four people," he said. "And we did not shoot well."
The Lakers had a six-point lead at the half and held a 76-65 lead early in the fourth quarter. They brought that lead to 20 points at 88-68 before the Kings came in through a 10-0 run, but Sacramento did not approach.
ON THE REBOUND
The Lakers recorded 59 rebounds, a peak in the season, including 17 best of the season at the offensive. Five of Chandler's rebounds were offensive, while McGee had three of his eight rebounds in attack.
LEBRON & # 39; S RETURN
James made his NBA debut in Sacramento 15 seasons ago as the first pick in the Cleveland Cavaliers draft. He had 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four interceptions in the October 29, 2003, game in which the Kings defeated Cavs 106-92.
BAD TURNING
The Kings had their worst league goal of the season, with 32 of 92. They averaged 49 percent shooting in the competition, third best in the NBA.
TIP-INS
Lakers: Ball missed his six 3-point attempts, most of them open. … There were a lot of Los Angeles fans in the stands, and several songs "Let's Go Lakers" in the fourth quarter.
Kings: Sacramento's 44 points in the first period were a low of the season. … The Kings scored 100 points or more in each of their previous seven competitions. … Sacramento had 11 assists in the low season.
FOLLOWING
Lakers: Go home to Atlanta Sunday.
Kings: Close Monday at a home encounter with four home games by hosting San Antonio, who has won 14 games in a row against Sacramento.
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