The Los Angeles Lakers held off a late comeback attempt by the Golden State Warriors to secure a 118-115 victory on Sunday night at the Staples Center. LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, recording his fifth triple-double of the season and the 99th of his career.
The Lakers dominated the first half, leading by as many as 24 points and taking a 67-48 advantage into the break. James had 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the first two quarters, while Anthony Davis added 14 points and six boards. The Warriors struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 37.8 percent from the field and 25 percent from beyond the arc.
The second half was a different story, as the Warriors came out with more energy and intensity. Stephen Curry caught fire, scoring 25 of his game-high 37 points in the third and fourth quarters. He also had seven rebounds and five assists, while Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 21 points and eight rebounds. The Warriors outscored the Lakers 67-51 in the second half, cutting the deficit to just one point with 1:32 left in the game.
However, the Lakers managed to hold on, thanks to some clutch plays by James and Davis. James hit a fadeaway jumper with 1:12 remaining, and Davis blocked a layup attempt by Curry with 36 seconds left. James then sealed the win with two free throws with 13 seconds left, giving the Lakers a three-point lead. The Warriors had a chance to tie the game, but Curry missed a contested three-pointer as time expired.
The Lakers improved to 34-12 with the win, maintaining their lead atop the Western Conference standings. The Warriors fell to 23-24, dropping to ninth place in the West. The two teams will meet again on Tuesday night in San Francisco.
