NBA

Lakers Survive Attack From Hawks, 107-106, for Third Straight Win

LeBron James had 26 points and one final dunk as the the Los Angeles Lakers survived an attack by the pesky Atlanta Hawks, 107-106, at Staples Center on Sunday night.

The block heard round the world.

Tyson Chandler blocked Trae Young's floater at the buzzer, and the Los Angeles Lakers survived an attack by the pesky Atlanta Hawks, 107-106, at Staples Center on Sunday night. 

Atlanta led most of the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, but after two missed free throws with 19 seconds remaining, LeBron James soared through the air for the putback dunk that gave the Lakers the lead.

"All of a sudden, the beast comes out of nowhere for the win," Chandler said.

LeBron led all scorers with a game-high 26 points, as Los Angeles won their fifth consecutive game against the Hawks dating back to the 2015-15 season.

Plucked from the last-place Phoenix Suns just a few days ago, Chandler has played a key defensive role in his first three games with his new team, helping them win three straight for the first time this season.

With the game clock winding down, Young called for a pick, and then drove past defender Brandon Ingram where it appeared he had a wide open layup. 

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However, at the last second Chandler came up and blocked Young's shot as time expired. 

"I seen they went to the pick-and-roll first and then he called for the iso," said Chandler of the final play. "My guy went to the corner and I was studying the clock. When I see him [Young] go, I knew he had to commit. So I commit."

Chandler's finished the game with three blocks and his defense also helped the Lakers prevail in wins against Minnesota and at Sacramento after having his contract bought out and coming to Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Following their 101-86 victory over the Kings on Saturday night, the Lakers struggled with the lowly Hawks all night long.

"Give Atlanta credit--they're a scrappy team," said Lakers' head coach Luke Walton.

Taurean Prince led Atlanta with 23 points, Kent Bazemore had 21, and rookie Trae Young flashed some moments of greatness with 20 points. 

"It was a battle for sure. The way the whole game went, back and forth," Young said. "They made a lot of plays, we made a lot of plays. I feel like I could have done a little bit more to help get my team the win."

The Hawks trailed by nine to start the fourth. Their first three baskets in the fourth came on 3-pointers by Prince (two) and Young (one).

Kyle Kuzma had 18 points for the Lakers, who have won five of six overall. 

TIP-INS

Hawks: They haven't beaten the Lakers at Staples Center since March 4, 2016. ... Prince was called for a flagrant-1 foul on James in the first quarter. ... C Dewayne Dedmon wasn't with the team while awaiting the birth of his first child.

Lakers: James earned his 768th career victory, overtaking Reggie Miller for 21st on the NBA's all-time victories list. ... They've won five in a row against the Hawks and are 24-5 against them at home since 1991.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

The Lakers had a moment of silence to honor the 12 people killed in the bar shooting in Thousand Oaks earlier in the week. Public address announcer Lawrence Tanter read each name and both teams wore T-shirts with "Enough" on the front and the victims' names on the back, something started by the Bucks and Clippers a day earlier.

UP NEXT

Hawks: Visit Golden State on Tuesday.

Lakers: Host Portland on Wednesday. The teams split their first two meetings.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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