The Los Angeles Lakers played very poorly overall in their first preseason game on Monday versus the Sacramento Kings, especially in the second half.
Although the Lakers lost again, this time by a score of 119-115, they showed definite signs of improvement, especially in the first half when they played a rotation that could’ve passed as one used in the regular season.
They did a decent job of pushing the pace at times, getting 16 fast-break points, and although they allowed 62 first-half points, they held Phoenix to under 40 percent shooting in that span.
Head coach Darvin Ham went with an interesting starting lineup that had 6-foot-9 Wenyen Gabriel at center instead of Anthony Davis, who was held out due to lower back tightness, Damian Jones, who started at the 5 on Monday or Thomas Bryant.
Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook started in the backcourt while Austin Reaves was at the 3 to begin the contest.