Lakers beat Kings 116-103 as Dončić scores 40 again

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 116-103 on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center, extending their winning streak to three games as Luka Dončić scored 40 points for a third consecutive game with at least 40. Dončić also had nine rebounds and seven assists in the win. Sacramento opened strongly, scoring 13 of the first 18 points, but the Lakers drew level at 28-28 by the end of the first quarter. Los Angeles built a 10-point lead in the second quarter and extended it to 16 in the third. The game included a foul-heavy first half, with each team called for 12 fouls, according to the account of the game. The Kings mounted a late push, cutting the deficit to 101-94 with just over four minutes remaining after three three-pointers, two by Malik Monk and one by Emanuel Sharp. Dončić was fouled while attempting a three-pointer and made all three free throws. Walker Kessler added four points from the line during a subsequent seven-point Lakers run, restoring the margin. Dončić shot 11 for 23 from the field, including six three-pointers on 13 attempts, and made 12 of 13 free throws. He scored 23 points in the first half, including 13 of the Lakers’ final 15 points before halftime....