February 10th, 2017

The Lakers started fast and held on in Milwaukee on Friday for a 122-114 win over the Bucks.  Nick Young scored 26 points while Lou Williams poured in 21 off the bench, to overcome a career-high from Bucks All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.  Antetokounmpo scored 41 points but it wasn’t enough, as the Bucks played their first game without Jabari Parker since losing him to a torn ACL.

LA scored 47 points in the 1st quarter, which was the most by any team in the league this season.  They led 76-55 at the half, setting their season high in points in any half this season, while shooting a blazing 69% from the field.

The Lakers led by as many 27 points, and 19 going into the 4th quarter, but the Bucks wouldn’t go away.  Greg Monroe’s layup with a minute left brought Milwaukee within 5 points, but they would get no closer.  LA knocked down 8 straight free throws to put the game away.  It was their 2nd victory in the last 3 games.

The win wraps up a 5 game trip for LA, in which they went 2-3.  It also comes just one day after Coach Luke Walton put the team through one of their toughest practices of the season.  That practice was filled with tons of running, which was unusual for the team at the end of a long trip.  With seven players in double figures and 25 assists, it looks like they benefitted from it.

The Lakers return home to play Sacramento on Tuesday night, followed by a trip to Phoenix for their last game before the All-Star break.  LA is now 19-37, which is already two more wins than the team had all of last season.  And some of you thought the Lakers wouldn’t be better.