Lakers vs. 76ers Final Score: Lakers cruise to bounceback win

The Lakers’ return home brought with it a return to winning ways. Behind strong showings from Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves and a triple-double from LeBron James, the Lakers earned a fairly comfortable 116-106 win over the depleted Sixers.

Anthony Davis had another dominant game. Fifteen of his 31 points came in the first quarter. He also grabbed seven rebounds and had four blocks. Austin Reaves was scorching hot from behind the arc, going 6-10. He scored 20 points to go with seven assists and six rebounds.

LeBron James had a slower game scoring the ball with 21 points, but still finished with a triple-double as he dished out 13 dimes and grabbed 12 rebounds. After being benched, D’Angelo Russell responded with one of his best games of the season, scoring 18 points.

The Lakers started red hot from behind the arc. Rui Hachimura, AD, Austin and Cam Reddish all knocked down threes. Barely five minutes into the game, LA had already made five of their six three-point attempts as they jumped to an 11-point lead.

LA’s defense was much better than the last few games. They smothered the Sixers, who were minus their two superstars, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. After Caleb Martin knocked down a few shots, the Sixers gained some momentum.

Despite Philadelphia cutting the deficit to three, AD dominated to help the Lakers extend their lead to seven at the end of the first.

Los Angeles came out hot offensively in the second quarter. They went back up by 11 thanks to D’Lo and Gabe Vincent scoring. The Lakers stayed hot from range with Austin making his second of the game.

Philadelphia suddenly surged offensively as both Jared McCain and Guerschon Yabusele made 3-pointers to make it a one-point game. Austin connected on two more threes, making it 4-4 from behind the arc for him.

With three minutes left until halftime, it was a brand new ball game as the score was tied. The Sixers went up by two, but AD drilled a three and the Lakers retook the lead by one. The hosts started getting hot offensively after another 3-pointer from Reaves. AD and LeBron also scored to add to the lead.

LA was up 68-60 at halftime.

The Sixers began the second half with a bucket. Austin was still fiery hot from behind the arc, knocking down another 3-pointer. After starting the game with two threes, Rui struggled offensively until he drilled another long-range effort.

The Lakers had the momentum, although Philadelphia was still trying to creep their way back into it. At the midway point, LA was up 15. The quarter belonged to Los Angeles as they kept a comfortable lead and continued to stop the Sixers from gaining traction.

LeBron was up to 12 assists after a behind-the-back pass to D’Lo for a 3-pointer. Yabusele knocked down a three of his own to bring the Sixers to within 15 at the end of the third.

The final frame began with the Lakers still having full control of the game, despite Sixers rookie McCain trying to singlehandedly bring them back. LeBron grabbed two more rebounds to secure his triple-double. Jaxson Hayes converted on a layup and a dunk to extend the Lakers’ lead to 18.

Philadelphia was pesky and trying to mount a comeback by knocking down 3-pointers along with former Laker Andre Drummond knocking bodies around down low. LA’s offense was becoming stagnant until D’Lo banked in a layup.

The Sixers did not complete their attempted fake comeback and the Lakers cruised to a nice victory.

D’Lo off the bench was a huge boost for the bench. He looked much more comfortable. It was a successful starting lineup change.

The Lakers need to learn how to keep big enough leads where they don’t need to panic and insert LeBron and AD back in with four minutes left in the fourth.

AD playing banged up and still putting up MVP numbers makes his MVP case even stronger.

With Max Christie only getting garbage playing time, this will either be a good thing or make his confidence go even further down the drain.

The Lakers will try to get back in the win column on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors at 6:30 PM PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.