LOS ANGELES _ For a night the Los Angeles Lakers offered a reprieve from the incessant negativity that had gripped the franchise the past two weeks.
The Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, 132-113, avoiding a 10-game losing streak, which would have tied the longest losing streak in franchise history. At 10-29, the Hawks have the worst record in the NBA. They are the only team with a worse record than the Lakers who are now 12-27.
During the second quarter, Lonzo Ball hit a three-pointer and Kyle Kuzma scored on the next possession to give the Lakers a 50-30 lead. It was their first 20-point lead in a game since Dec. 20 when the Lakers beat the Houston Rockets, snapping the Rockets' 14-game winning streak. The 26-point lead they had late in the fourth quarter was their largest lead in any game this season.
The Lakers dominated in transition, outscoring the Hawks on fast breaks, 42-11. Eight Lakers reached double figures, led by Brandon Ingram, who scored 20 points in 30 minutes of play. Hawks guard Dennis Schroder led all scorers with 27 points.
