LeBron James had 32 points (17 in the second quarter) and 13 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers went on a 12-1 run in the third quarter to beat the Atlanta Hawks 101-96 for their seventh straight win.
It was tied at 57 when Anthony Davis’ 19-foot jumper put the Lakers ahead for good with 9:07 left in the third quarter. They pulled away to a 69-58 lead with 5:40 left in the quarter.
The Hawks got within 98-96 on De'Andre Hunter’s 2 free throws with 19 seconds to play, but James answered with a free throw, and the Hawks got no closer.
Danny Green’s 2 free throws with 5.5 seconds left made it 101-96 and put it away.
During clutch time, the Lakers outscored the Hawks 6-4.
Davis had 27 points and 13 rebounds.
For the Hawks, Trae Young had 30 points and 7 assists.
The Lakers shot 42.9% from the field to the Hawks’ 36.0% and outscored them 54-34 in the paint. They did not make a field goal in the last 4:14.