Ingram scores 21 points in Lakers rout of Hawks
ATLANTA — Good ball movement meant impressive scoring balance for Brandon Ingram and the Lakers.
Ingram had 21 points and 10 rebounds, leading nine Los Angeles scorers in double figures, and the Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-104 on Monday night for their third straight win.
“We played the right way today,” Ingram said. “We always talk about finding the best shot for our team and just trying to move it the right way.”
Julius Randle added 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Lakers overcame 23 turnovers to keep their lead in double figures throughout the second half.
Lonzo Ball had 13 points, seven rebounds and five of the Lakers’ 28 assists.
“We’re just moving the ball, playing together,” Ball said. “It’s that simple.”
The Lakers (26-34) matched their win total from last season, when they finished 2656, though they are only 11th in the Western Conference.
Kentavious CaldwellPope, who scored a season-high 34 points in a 113-108 win over the Kings on Saturday night, had 14 rebounds but was
held to only 10 points while making only 4 of 12 shots — including a 3-pointer in the final minute.
Taurean Prince had 24 points in Atlanta’s fourth straight loss. Dennis Schroder added 20 points.
Before the game, the Hawks announced they requested waivers on veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova. It was another step to clear playing time for younger players, including rookie John Collins, who started. Atlanta released veteran guard Marco Belinelli in a similar
move on Feb. 9.
The Hawks began the night one-half game behind Phoenix in the race
for the NBA’s worst record for the current season and appear to be bound for one of the top picks in the draft.
“It’s tough when you’re wanting to have team success and everything, but I think we’re growing, really, even though tonight didn’t feel like it,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said.
The Hawks can hope for an immediate impact similar to what’s been provided by Ball and Kyle Kuzma, two of five rookies on the Lakers’ roster. Kuzma had a run of 10 points, all scored in the first half.