SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Anthony Davis had 25 points and 11 rebounds, LeBron James added 21 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the San Antonio Spurs 103-96 on Sunday night.
James also had a triple-double Friday night in an overtime victory in Dallas.
Dwight Howard had 14 points and 13 rebounds in a throw-back performance to help the Lakers improve to 5-1.
Dejounte Murray had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs, Rudy Gay added 16 points off the bench, and DeMar DeRozan had 14. They lost for the second time in three games to drop to 4-2.
The Lakers missed their first three shots and had two turnovers but the Spurs only managed a 5-0 lead. The teams combined to commit 13 turnovers in the first quarter in a sloppy start to a battle between the early leaders in the Western Conference standings.
The Spurs managed to work free for 3-pointers, but were 4 for 16 from long range in the first half.
The Lakers outscored the Spurs 30-18 in the second quarter, including an alley-oop from Howard at the 3-point line to Davis.
The Spurs closed to 77-72 on Gay’s 37-footer to end the third quarter and 87-85 on Murray’s short jumper midway through the fourth.
Murray’s three-point play on a foul against James and subsequent driving layup tied it at 90 with 4:10 remaining. The Lakers went on a 7-0 run, capped by a dunk follow by Howard. The center flexed after the basket to the roar of the many Los Angeles fans in attendance.
TIP-INS
Lakers: Lakers fan Calvin Broadus, aka Snoop Dog, sat courtside. He received a Spurs jersey with Snoop Dogg and No. 19 on the back, which he sheepishly accepted while wearing a purple Lakers jacket. ... Kyle Kuzma had five points in 16 minutes in his second game after missing the season’s first four games because of stress reaction in his left ankle suffered playing for Team USA in August.
Spurs: Derrick White fell on his right hip and backside early in the fourth quarter after being fouled by Dwight Howard. Derrick White remained on the court for about 45 seconds before rising and gingerly walking off the injury. Officials reviewed the play and ruled it was a common foul against Howard.
UP NEXT
Lakers: At Chicago on Tuesday night.
Spurs: At Atlanta on Tuesday night.
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