February 15th, 2017
Lou Williams led a fierce fourth quarter rally, but the Lakers came up short against the Kings at Staples Center on Tuesday night, losing 97-96.
Williams scored 19 of his 29 points in the 4th, including two game-tying baskets in the final two minutes. However, DeMarcus Cousins had 40 points and 12 rebounds, including the Kings final 10 points.
Cousins made 1 of 2 free throws with 9 seconds left in the game, after being fouled by Larry Nance Jr. That put the Kings up by 1 point. Williams attempted a potential game-winning three, which sailed wide right of the basket at the buzzer.
The Lakers outscored the Kings 18-10 in the paint and 12-0 on fast-break points in the 4th quarter. LA was trailing 70-64 after three quarters. They got as close as two at one point in the 3rd, but Sacramento went on a 9-0 run to extend the lead to 11 points.
Other than Williams, Julius Randle and Nick Young were the only Lakers in double figures. Young scored 10 points and Randle had 11. However, Randle and D’Angelo Russell didn’t play in the 4th quarter.
“They earn that chance”, said Lakers coach Luke Walton. Walton also felt like he had to ride the hot hand with Williams. “When Lou is having the type of game he was having, we weren’t gonna take him out,” he explained.
The Lakers have lost 4 of their last 6 games, and have just 1 game left tonight before the All-Star break. The Lakers will be visiting the Phoenix Suns, in a game that is critical for both teams potential draft lottery positioning.