Game ID: 22301103
Los Angeles Lakers @ Washington Wizards
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET
Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
WAS 29 31 26 34 120LAL 39 28 34 24 125
LAL @ WAS ScoutingLAL @ WAS Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
WAS availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 6 since 3/16, out tonight
BACK Kuzma back 3/21 after 2, 35 min since (109% of 33)
BACK Avdija back 3/21 after 3, 34 min since (113% of 30)
BACK Bagley III back 3/23 after 9, 17 min since (70% of 24)
NEW Kispert 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Holmes 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Champagnie 16 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW Butler 14 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Baldwin Jr. 13 to 20 min over the last 5
NEW Davis 12 to 20 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 7 since 3/16, out tonight
BACK Kuzma back 3/21 after 2, 38 min since (117% of 33)
BACK Avdija back 3/21 after 3, 35 min since (117% of 30)
BACK Bagley III back 3/23 after 9, 20 min since (81% of 24)
NEW Poole 30 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Kispert 26 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Holmes 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Butler 14 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Davis 12 to 19 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 8 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Champagnie missed 2 since 3/27, out tonight
BACK Kuzma back 3/21 after 2, 38 min since (116% of 33)
BACK Avdija back 3/21 after 3, 36 min since (120% of 30)
BACK Bagley III back 3/23 after 9, 21 min since (89% of 24)
NEW Poole 30 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Kispert 26 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Holmes 19 to 25 min over the last 4
NEW Butler 14 to 22 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 9 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 2 since 3/29, out tonight
OUT Champagnie missed 3 since 3/27, out tonight
BACK Bagley III back 3/23 after 9, 22 min since (93% of 24)
NEW Kuzma 33 to 38 min over the last 3
NEW Avdija 30 to 38 min over the last 4
NEW Poole 30 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Kispert 26 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Butler 14 to 22 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 4/03 · back-to-backOUT Kuzma missed 2 since 3/31, returns tonight: 38 min (118% of 33)
OUT Jones missed 10 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 3 since 3/29, out tonight
OUT Champagnie missed 4 since 3/27, returns tonight: 19 min (118% of 16)
NEW Avdija 30 to 38 min over the last 4
NEW Poole 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Kispert 26 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Butler 14 to 22 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 4/05 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 11 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 4 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Kuzma back 4/03 after 2, 38 min since (118% of 33)
BACK Champagnie back 4/03 after 4, 19 min since (118% of 16)
NEW Poole 30 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Kispert 26 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Butler 14 to 22 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 4/07 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 12 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 5 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Kuzma back 4/03 after 2, 38 min since (118% of 33)
BACK Champagnie back 4/03 after 4, 16 min since (102% of 16)
NEW Avdija 30 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Poole 30 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Kispert 26 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Butler 14 to 21 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 4/09 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 13 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 6 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Kuzma back 4/03 after 2, 38 min since (118% of 33)
BACK Champagnie back 4/03 after 4, 15 min since (98% of 16)
NEW Avdija 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Poole 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Kispert 26 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Vukcevic 15 to 22 min over the last 5
NEW Butler 14 to 20 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 4/12 · 2 days' restOUT Jones missed 14 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 7 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Kuzma back 4/03 after 2, 38 min since (118% of 33)
BACK Champagnie back 4/03 after 4, 15 min since (98% of 16)
NEW Poole 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Kispert 26 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Vukcevic 15 to 25 min over the last 4
NEW Butler 14 to 20 min over the last 5
NEW Baldwin Jr. 13 to 22 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 3/27 · back-to-backOUT Vanderbilt missed 22 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 44 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 16 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 3/22 after 4, 16 min since (80% of 20)
NEW Russell 33 to 40 min over the last 4
NEW Dinwiddie 23 to 28 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 23 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 45 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 17 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 3/22 after 4, 15 min since (72% of 20)
NEW Dinwiddie 23 to 30 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 24 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 46 since 12/21, returns tonight: 14 min (78% of 18)
OUT Wood missed 18 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 3/22 after 4, 14 min since (71% of 20)
NEW Davis 36 to 42 min over the last 4
NEW Russell 33 to 38 min over the last 4
NEW Reaves 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Dinwiddie 23 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 25 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 19 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 3/31 after 46, 14 min since (78% of 18)
NEW Davis 36 to 41 min over the last 4
NEW Reaves 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Hachimura 27 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Dinwiddie 23 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/03 · back-to-backOUT Vanderbilt missed 26 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 20 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 3/31 after 46, 14 min since (78% of 18)
NEW Hachimura 27 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Hayes 12 to 19 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 4/06 · 2 days' restOUT Reddish missed 2 since 4/02, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 27 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 21 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 3/31 after 46, 14 min since (79% of 18)
NEW Hayes 12 to 17 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 4/07 · back-to-backOUT Reddish missed 3 since 4/02, returns tonight: 14 min (67% of 20)
OUT Vanderbilt missed 28 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 22 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 3/31 after 46, 14 min since (79% of 18)
LAL availability going into 4/09 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 29 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 23 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 4/07 after 3, 14 min since (67% of 20)
BACK Vincent back 3/31 after 46, 14 min since (79% of 18)
NEW Hayes 12 to 18 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 4/12 · 2 days' restOUT Vanderbilt missed 30 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 24 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 4/07 after 3, 12 min since (57% of 20)
NEW Hayes 12 to 20 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 16 free throws a game; Poole at 21 and Kispert at 19 a game. Without Kuzma (2 straight), Jones (10 straight), Holmes (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 114, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Davis at 26 and James at 26 a game. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Vanderbilt (26 straight), Wood (20 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-7 a night and Washington minus-2 and the arc, the Lakers at 37 percent from three to Washington's 30. Call it the Lakers 117, Washington 114, Washington keeping it close.
3/27 vs BKN 119-122 — WAS notes
WAS lost 119-122 in 1 overtime. WAS shot 51% (46 of 91) to BKN's 48%, 14 of 34 from three, and got to the line 17 times to BKN's 23. WAS turned it over 13 times to BKN's 8, and BKN turned those into 8 steals. Poole led with 38 (15 of 24, 5 of 12 from three); Kuzma added 24, Bagley III 18. Q3 was theirs, 37-31, the deficit cut from 7 to 1, but the other 4 periods went 91-82 against them. Butler's -17 in 21 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/29 vs DET 87-96 — WAS notes
WAS lost 87-96. WAS shot 41% (36 of 88) to DET's 42%, 9 of 33 from three, and got to the line just 8 times against 18 fouls committed. WAS turned it over 18 times to DET's 13, and DET turned those into 9 steals. Kispert led with 23 (9 of 12, 5 of 7 from three); Avdija added 18, Bagley III 15. Q3 was theirs, 35-21, the deficit cut from 19 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 75-52 against them. Kuzma's -22 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/31 vs MIA 107-119 — WAS notes
WAS lost 107-119. WAS shot 45% (40 of 88) to MIA's 49%, 11 of 38 from three, and got to the line 21 times to MIA's 29. Poole led with 22 (8 of 20, 4 of 12 from three); Gill added 18, Avdija 15. Q4 was theirs, 27-24, the deficit cut from 15 to 12, but the other 3 periods went 95-80 against them. Poole's -23 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/02 vs MIL 117-113 — WAS notes
WAS won 117-113. WAS shot 51% (47 of 93) to MIL's 44%, 9 of 38 from three. The glass went 44-57 against them. Kispert led with 27 (10 of 18, 4 of 11 from three); Avdija added 23, Butler 17. The hinge was Q2, 31-26: WAS came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 4, and the lead reached 15. Avdija was the night's best plus/minus at +9.
4/03 vs LAL 120-125 — WAS notes
WAS lost 120-125. WAS shot 49% (45 of 91) to LAL's 51%, 18 of 42 from three, and got to the line 13 times to LAL's 29. The glass went 39-49 against them. Poole led with 29 (10 of 19, 5 of 9 from three); Kuzma added 17, Kispert 17. Q4 was theirs, 34-24, the deficit cut from 15 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 101-86 against them. They led by as many as 11. Poole's -32 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/05 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 15 free throws a game; Poole at 22 and Kispert at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (11 straight), Holmes (4 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 94 a night and allowing 112, shooting 43 percent and 29 from three, 13 free throws a game; Banton at 22 and Ayton at 21 a game. Without Simons (6 straight), Sharpe (39 straight), Thybulle (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-2 a night and Washington minus-5. Call it Washington 114, Portland 109.
4/07 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 130, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 24 and Quickley at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Brown (2 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 28 from three, 18 free throws a game; Poole at 19 and Kispert at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Jones (12 straight), Holmes (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Washington wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Washington allowing 112 a night to Toronto's 130 and the arc, Toronto at 33 percent from three to Washington's 28. Call it Washington 116, Toronto 115, Toronto keeping it close.
4/09 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 103, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Edwards at 23 and Reid at 20 a game. Without Towns (16 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 31 from three, 22 free throws a game; Poole at 23 and Avdija at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Jones (13 straight), Holmes (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 103 a night to Washington's 119 and the arc, Minnesota at 39 percent from three to Washington's 31. Call it Minnesota 118, Washington 108, Minnesota by 10.
4/12 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Poole at 24 and Kispert at 20 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Jones (14 straight), Holmes (7 straight). 2 days' rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; DeRozan at 31 and Dosunmu at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Washington wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-7 a night and Washington minus-8 and the defense, Chicago allowing 112 a night to Washington's 121. Call it Washington 116, Chicago 114, Chicago keeping it close.
3/27 @ MEM 136-124 — LAL notes
LAL won 136-124. LAL shot 56% (45 of 81) to MEM's 47%, 18 of 33 from three, and went to the line 35 times to MEM's 19 — 28 points from the stripe to their 15. Hachimura led with 32 (11 of 14, 7 of 8 from three); James added 23, Russell 23. The hinge was Q2, 32-25: a lead of 1 became 8, and the lead reached 27. Hachimura was the night's best plus/minus at +35.
3/29 @ IND 90-109 — LAL notes
LAL lost 90-109. LAL shot 41% (35 of 86) to IND's 48%, 5 of 30 from three. LAL turned it over 16 times to IND's 8, and IND turned those into 8 steals. Davis led with 24 (9 of 17, 6 of 7 at the line); Reaves added 16, James 16. Q2 was theirs, 25-27, but the other 3 periods went 82-65 against them. Russell's -17 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/31 @ BKN 116-104 — LAL notes
LAL won 116-104. LAL shot 55% (42 of 77) to BKN's 42%, 15 of 40 from three. LAL turned it over 19 times to BKN's 12, and BKN turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 50-38 for them. James led with 40 (13 of 17, 9 of 10 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Davis added 24, Hachimura 20. The hinge was Q1, 31-11: from level to 20 ahead, and the lead reached 26. Reaves was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
4/02 @ TOR 128-111 — LAL notes
LAL won 128-111. LAL shot 51% (52 of 101) to TOR's 48%, 18 of 41 from three, and got to the line 12 times to TOR's 21. Russell led with 25 (9 of 17, 7 of 14 from three); James added 23, Davis 21. The hinge was Q3, 36-21: a lead of 6 became 21, and the lead reached 33. Russell was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
4/03 @ WAS 125-120 — LAL notes
LAL won 125-120. LAL shot 51% (46 of 91) to WAS's 49%, 8 of 28 from three, and went to the line 29 times to WAS's 13 — 25 points from the stripe to their 12. The glass went 49-39 for them. Davis led with 35 (10 of 17, 15 of 15 at the line); James added 25, Hachimura 19. The hinge was Q1, 39-29: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 17. Davis was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
4/06 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Davis at 26 and James at 25 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Reddish (2 straight), Vanderbilt (27 straight), Wood (21 straight). 2 days' rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Allen at 19 and Eva. Mobley at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Okoro (3 straight), Wade (14 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-7 a night and Cleveland minus-6 and the line, where the Lakers take 23 free throws a game to Cleveland's 18. Call it the Lakers 118, Cleveland 112.
4/07 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 108, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; James at 26 and Davis at 25 a game. That is 4 straight wins. They have won the glass by 6 a night. Without Reddish (3 straight), Vanderbilt (28 straight), Wood (22 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 99, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Edwards at 23 and Reid at 15 a game. Without Towns (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-6 a night and Minnesota minus-3 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 99 a night to the Lakers' 108. Call it Minnesota 111, the Lakers 110, the Lakers keeping it close.
4/09 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 112, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; James at 28 and Davis at 21 a game. They have won the glass by 5 a night. Without Vanderbilt (29 straight), Wood (23 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 14 free throws a game; Curry at 26 and Thompson at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Wiggins (2 straight), Šarić (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 22 free throws a game to Golden State's 14. Call it the Lakers 117, Golden State 114, Golden State keeping it close.
4/12 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 104, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 17 free throws a game; LaRavia at 18 and Jackson at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Aldama (5 straight), Kennard (4 straight), Williams (19 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; James at 26 and Davis at 20 a game. Without Vanderbilt (30 straight), Wood (24 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Memphis allowing 104 a night to the Lakers' 118 and the arc, the Lakers at 38 percent from three to Memphis's 32. Call it the Lakers 113, Memphis 111, Memphis keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAD A. Davis
AR A. Reaves
DR D. Russell
GV G. Vincent
JH J. Hayes
LJ L. James
MC M. Christie
ML M. Lewis
RH R. Hachimura
SD S. Dinwiddie
TP T. Prince
WASAG A. Gill
CK C. Kispert
DA D. Avdija
EO E. Omoruyi
JB J. Butler
JC J. Champagnie
JP J. Poole
KK K. Kuzma
PB P. Baldwin Jr.
TV T. Vukcevic
LAL/WAS the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Davis leads Lakers to their 8th win in 9 games, scores 35 points in 125-120 victory over Wizards
WASHINGTON -- — Anthony Davis scored 19 of his 35 points in the first quarter and had 18 rebounds, helping the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Washington Wizards 125-120 on Wednesday night for their eighth victory in nine games.
LeBron James had 25 points and nine assists, and Rui Hachimura scored 19 points for the Lakers against his former team. Davis was 10 of 17 from the field and made 15 free throws without a miss.
Jordan Poole led Washington with 29 points.
The Lakers are ninth in the Western Conference, meaning they'd have to win twice in the play-in tournament to make the main playoff bracket. But they're making a push to move up. Los Angeles trailed Phoenix and Sacramento by 1 1/2 games entering Wednesday.
“We want to continue to play good basketball,” James said. “The postseason's still kind of a ways away. ... Postseason prep, all that other stuff is totally different from the regular season, so wherever we fall is where we fall.”
The Wizards are a loss shy of matching the franchise record of 63.
Washington was coming off a nice win over Milwaukee on Tuesday night, and the Wizards made their first five 3-point attempts against the Lakers. Washington led 19-8 early on, and the problems mounted for Los Angeles when Davis took a stray elbow to the nose from Wizards 7-footer Tristan Vukcevic and stayed down on the floor for a bit.
But Davis was able to play on, which was bad news for Washington. The Wizards didn't have the size necessary to deal with him, and Davis dominated the rest of the quarter. By the time it was over, he'd already made 11 free throws, and the Lakers led 39-29.
Los Angeles led by seven at the half, then went on a 9-2 run to start the third quarter to take a 76-62 advantage. D'Angelo Russell scored 18 points for the Lakers, who went 5-1 on a six-game trip.
Washington pulled back within two in the fourth and was having some success with its zone defense before James spun around Jared Butler and dunked to make it 109-105. That started a 12-0 run.
“When we're scoring at will, teams are going to try to get into a zone and try to slow us down," Davis said. "We've got to be able to get to our zone offense to combat that.”
The Lakers had removed James and Davis, the game seemingly in hand, when the Wizards scored eight straight points to make it 125-120. After a Los Angeles turnover with 17.4 seconds remaining, James and Davis came back in.
Davis blocked a 3-point attempt by Butler and the Lakers held on.
“I hate the term garbage time,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “You're playing in the NBA. There's only so many spots, and you get a chance to play, even if it's the last 50 seconds, go hard. Go hard or you stay home, pretty much."
James was called for a flagrant foul when he made a spin move while driving to the basket and caught Deni Avdija with an elbow in the second quarter.