SACRAMENTO — The Lakers, who have statistically had the league’s third-best best defense over the last 1½ weeks entering Thursday, knew they would be tested in their consecutive matchups against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
They passed the first leg of the exam, beating the Kings, 113-100, on Thursday night in the first of two matchups over three days in Sacramento.
They’ll square off again on Saturday afternoon.
“This might be my favorite win we’ve had all season,” first-year Lakers coach JJ Redick said.