Anthony Davis had 37 points (15 in the first quarter) and 10 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the San Antonio Spurs 122-119.
The Lakers took control with a 19-6 run in the first quarter and led by as many as 20. The Lakers led 94-74 with 11:26 left, and the Spurs got within 117-116 with 21 seconds left.
The Spurs got within 117-116 on Victor Wembanyama’s free throw with 21 seconds to play, but Davis answered with 2 free throws, and the Spurs got no closer than 121-119. They had the ball down 3 with 0.8 seconds left, but Davis stole the ball from Keldon Johnson, lifting the Lakers’ chance to win from 95% to over 99%. A 3-pointer would have tied the game.
During clutch time, the Lakers outscored the Spurs 7-6. Davis scored 6 of the Lakers’ 7 on 1 for 2 shooting and 4 for 4 at the line. Late in the fourth quarter, Davis had 2 of his 4 steals, both with the game within five points, and the Lakers scored 2 points off them.
For the Spurs, Wembanyama had 30 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals and 6 blocks, and Devin Vassell went 1 for 7 from 3. Johnson had 28 points and 8 assists on 10 for 14 shooting.
The Lakers shot 53.8% from the field to the Spurs’ 46.9%. The Lakers’ starters outscored the Spurs 31-21 in 11 minutes together. Wembanyama fouled out.