BY MARIA BULLARD – SPORTS ON AIR USA CORRESPONDENT
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers made quick work of the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, 125-111, at the Crypto.com Arena.
As they attempted to gain momentum heading into the All-Star break, the Lakers came out firing, jumping to a quick 10-point lead in the first quarter before taking the half, 71-44.
All five Lakers starters finished with double figures in points.
LeBron James had 25 points and 8 assists. Anthony Davis added 20 and 6 blocks while D’Angelo Russell kicked in 21 points. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura had 15 points apiece.
“Just trusting each other, not that we didn’t before. And then shot-making. Guys are making the right plays and the ball is popping. The result has been some good wins for us,” Davis said after the Lakers won their 10th game in 15 outings.
At least for one game, questions about the inconsistent Lakers were put to rest with Davis clamping down with 6 blocks as the Pistons were held to 41.7 percent shooting from the field (45-of-108) and 28.6 percent from 3 (8-of-28).
Veteran Spencer Dinwiddie made his Lakers debut after being signed following the trade deadline. He accounted for six points and seven assists off the bench.
Ausar Thompson led the Pistons with 19 points but it couldn’t stem the tide of a rampaging Lakers who came off a three-day rest.
“They definitely jump on us early on,” Thompson lamented. “They played very fast off makes, misses running off the court. They’re big.”
“That was pretty much the game,” added Detroit coach Monty Williams of the Pistons’ slow start.
