Pistons look to cool off Anthony Davis, Lakers

Anthony Davis is off to a hot start and that’s bad news for the Detroit Pistons.The Los Angeles Lakers’ star big man is averaging 31.8 games and 12.0 rebounds through the first six games. He’ll now face a team that he has dominated during his career when the Lakers visit Detroit on Monday night.Davis has averaged 28.3 points in 19 career games against the Pistons, his highest point total against any opponent.In the Lakers’ most recent game at Toronto on Friday, Davis recorded 38 points and 11 rebounds in a 131-125 victory. He has scored at least 30 points in all four of the Lakers’ wins this season.Los Angeles was coming off its first two losses after opening the season with three consecutive wins.”We need to win games,” Davis said. “We lost two in a row. We lost beating ourselves. So, I think we’re very capable of putting pressure on ourselves to have games where it’s a must-win.”The Lakers led by 25 at halftime, then held off the Raptors’ late surge.”We played extremely well,” Davis said. “The ball was moving. We’re getting good looks, great opportunities for one another. Our defense was phenomenal. Everything that we talked about from our two losses we went on to execute in the first half. And if we play like that, we’ll be a tough team to beat.”The team’s other superstar, LeBron James, also is off to a strong start. He’s averaging 22.2 points, 7.2 assists and 6.7 rebounds. He’s shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from long range. He posted 27 points, 10 assists and six rebounds Friday.”We took two steps forward,” James said. “That’s a good sign for our ballclub.”The Lakers have won their past seven meetings against the Pistons. Detroit’s last victory in the series came on Jan. 28, 2021.

Playlist