After losing the first three games of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers are back at .500, and their latest acquisition is a major reason.

LeBron James scored his usual 25 points to lead the Lakers to a 101-86 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night. The recently signed center Tyson Chandler scored only three goals, but his impact could have been more marked as a stabilizing presence in the middle of a Lakers defense that had its best performance of the season.

In his second game with the Lakers, Chandler made 12 rebounds in 23 minutes. With the veteran anchoring the paint, Los Angeles held an opponent under 110 points for the first time this season. The Lakers came in the evening with 119.1 points per game, the third worst in the league.

"For me, the defense has been easy because it comes naturally, but you have to get into the offensive," Chandler said. "The solution for us was to go back to the transition, build walls, force them to commit a half-court offense."

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Sacramento entered the game among the top four NBA in points per game (117.8, fourth) percentage of his placements (49.1, third) and 3 points (39.3, third), but had his worst offensive performance.

"We have a good punch in our central position, starting with JaVale (McGee), he sets the tone, and when Tyson enters, he even raises the level," said James during an interview on the ground.

"His extra possessions, his rebound, his defense strength, his intelligent IQ on the ground only strengthen our ball club."

The Lakers beat the Kings at a low point of the season with 34.8% points scored and 6 of 25 (24%) off the 3-point range, the two worst-season marks in Sacramento. Top scorers, Buddy Hield and De-Aaron Fox, conceded 11 of their 34 attempts (32.5%). The Kings also made 19 turnovers that earned them 20 points.

"They had every shot attempt and they fired four people," said Fox. "And we did not shoot the ball well."

The Lakers have won four of their last five games to return to .500 (6-6) for the first time this season. They will try their first run of three straight wins of the season at home Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.

Follow Matt Eppers on Twitter @meppers_.