Los Angeles Lakers win again, top Sacramento Kings for 3rd straight win

LOS ANGELES -- D'Angelo Russell scored the decisive basket with 41 seconds remaining as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 98-94 Friday.

Los Angeles (24-55) won its third straight game and earned a split of the four-game season series. Julius Randle scored 25 points and Brandon Ingram added 11 points. The Lakers shot 44.2 from the field (38-for-86).

Sacramento (31-48) had a two-game winning streak snapped, shooting 50.7 percent from the field (38-for-75). Skal Labissiere led the Kings with 19 points and Buddy Hield added 17 points.

The Lakers closed with a 22-13 run in the final 6:35 with Russell's floater giving them the lead for good.

Sacramento used a hot start to lead 31-18 after one quarter, shooting 61.9 percent from the field (13-21).

Los Angeles used 26-14 second quarter to narrow the margin to one at halftime, 45-44. Jordan Clarkson scored seven points in the quarter and was the only Laker to hit double figures (10) for the half. The Kings shot 50 percent (19-38), the Lakers shot 42.9 percent (18-42) through two quarters. Cauley-Stein led Sacramento with 12 points and Skal Labissiere added 10 points. Lassibere's dunk at the halftime horn was ruled good after a video review to give the Kings the halftime lead.

The teams played an even third quarter as Sacramento maintained a one point margin, 70-69. Los Angeles' Julius Randle scored 13 of his team's 25 points in the frame on six-of-seven shooting. Sacramento's sloppy offense kept the game close as its 18 turnovers led to 20 Laker points.

NOTES: Sacramento returns home for its final homestand with a pair of games against Houston on Sunday and Phoenix on Tuesday. ... Kings G Aaron Afflalo returned to the starting lineup after missing Tuesday's win against Dallas with a lower back strain. ... Sacramento is in its best stretch all-time versus the Lakers, winning nine of their last 11 matchups. ... The Lakers continue their three-game home stand against Minnesota on Sunday. ... Lakers G D'Angelo Russell returned to the starting lineup after missing Wednesday's game with a sore left knee.