Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Takeaways from win over Sacramento Kings

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on March 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images,)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on March 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images,)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images,)

Kyle Kuzma found his jumper and exploded

At halftime, the Lakers were behind by one point. By the time, the third quarter was over, the game was in control thanks to a 39-28 showing that marked as one of the best quarters all season.

Why do you ask? Kyle Kuzma!

Kyle Kuzma has really struggled with his jump shot since the All-Star break from distance. In his last ten contests, Kuzma’s shot from the 3-point line bottomed out at 20 percent and even those didn’t look good coming off his fingers.

Then the third quarter gave Kuzma and the Lakers fans a reminder of what this guy did when he had a career night against Detroit when he gets in rhythm.

Kyle Kuzma tied LeBron James for scoring honors with 29 points, while grabbing 6 rebounds and dished out 2 helpers. But it was his third quarter performance that everyone will remember.

Kyle Kuzma scored 21 of his 29 points on the strength of seven shots from the land of plenty. The Lakers used Kuzma’s surge to create significant distance from the Kings that held up until LeBron put things out of reach with free throws.

Like LeBron, Kuzma used aggressive attacks to the rim to get himself untracked.

It’s good to see Kyle Kuzma play well in this game. He needs to build on it for the rest of the season going into the offseason. At times during this cold shooting stretch, Kuzma looked like he had lost confidence in his shot which affected his whole game.