The Los Angeles Lakers opened the season with a scintillating 21-6 record that was befitting of an NBA championship squad looking to defend its title. The contest is Los Angeles' final game before the All-Star break and comes one night after the Lakers were outclassed by the visiting Phoenix Suns in a 114-104 loss. LeBron James scored 38 points on 16-of-24 shooting, but the absence of Anthony Davis (Achilles, calf) was again apparent as the Lakers fell by double digits for the fourth time in the six recent setbacks.