Anthony Davis scored a season-high 37 points against his hometown team, LeBron James added 17 points and 11 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Chicago Bulls 101-90 on Saturday.
The defending NBA champions improved to 9-0 on the road and a league-best 13-4 overall. And this one never was in doubt.
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Anthony Davis scored a season-high 37 points against his hometown team, LeBron James added 17 points and 11 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Chicago Bulls 101-90 on Saturday.
James, coming off a season-high 34-point outing in a win at Milwaukee two nights earlier, had six assists and six turnovers. And the Lakers won their eighth in a row against Chicago.
The Lakers held off the Bulls 117-115 in Los Angeles two weeks earlier with Davis and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope missing the game because of injuries. Los Angeles wasted no time burying taking control in this one.
The Bulls went on a 14-2 run late in the third quarter to pull within 79-66. But back-to-back baskets by Davis made it a 17-point game heading to the fourth.
Bulls: Coach Billy Donovan said C Wendell Carter Jr. (quad) is improving, though he's not sure if he'll be available Monday against Boston after missing the past two games. “He's made progress. He is feeling better,” Donovan said. ... The Bulls also held out Otto Porter Jr. after he played the previous night at Charlotte.
Bulls: Chicago hosts Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics.
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bulls forward Daniel Gafford, rear, passes the ball away from Los Angeles Lakers center Marc Gasol during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, center, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroeder, left, and forward Anthony Davis defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
Davis scored 26 points in the highest scoring half by a Laker this season as Los Angeles grabbed a 63-33 lead. The seven-time All-Star shot 14 of 21, nailing two 3-pointers, and grabbed six rebounds.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, shoots over Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
James, coming off a season-high 34-point outing in a win at Milwaukee two nights earlier, had six assists and six turnovers. And the Lakers won their eighth in a row against Chicago.
The Bulls had won three in a row and matched a franchise record by scoring 115 or more in seven straight games. But against Los Angeles, they struggled for much of the game.
Zach LaVine led Chicago with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Coby White added 14 points and seven rebounds.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James drives to the basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
The Lakers held off the Bulls 117-115 in Los Angeles two weeks earlier with Davis and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope missing the game because of injuries. Los Angeles wasted no time burying taking control in this one.
Davis set the tone as the Lakers raced out to a 20-6 lead. He scored 13 of Los Angeles' first 16 points, with three dunks in that stretch.
Davis also made two 3-pointers late in the half, including one in the closing minute to make it 61-31. And after Chicago's Coby White hit a pull-up jumper, Dennis Schroder drove for a layup to bump the lead back to 30.
Chicago Bulls forward Thaddeus Young drives to the basket during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
The Bulls went on a 14-2 run late in the third quarter to pull within 79-66. But back-to-back baskets by Davis made it a 17-point game heading to the fourth.
TIP-INS
Lakers: Davis' previous season high was 34 points against San Antonio on Jan. 1. He scored a career-high 59 for New Orleans at Detroit on Feb. 21, 2016. ... F Jared Dudley (sore right calf) remains a “game or two” away from returning from an injury that has kept him out the past seven, coach Frank Vogel said.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots against Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen, center, and forward Patrick Williams during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
Bulls: Coach Billy Donovan said C Wendell Carter Jr. (quad) is improving, though he's not sure if he'll be available Monday against Boston after missing the past two games. “He's made progress. He is feeling better,” Donovan said. ... The Bulls also held out Otto Porter Jr. after he played the previous night at Charlotte.
UP NEXT
Lakers: The Lakers visit Cleveland on Monday, their third in a seven-game trip.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis dunks as Chicago Bulls guard Coby White watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
Bulls: Chicago hosts Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics.
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Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen, left, shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bulls forward Daniel Gafford, rear, passes the ball away from Los Angeles Lakers center Marc Gasol during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, center, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroeder, left, and forward Anthony Davis defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP PhotoNam Y. Huh)