Anthony Davis dominated with a season-high 37 points against his hometown team, LeBron James added 17 points and 11 rebounds and the Lakers beat the Chicago Bulls 101-90 on Saturday.

The defending NBA champions improved to 9-0 on the road and a league-best 13-4 overall. And this one never was in doubt.

Davis scored 26 points in the highest scoring half by a Laker this season as Los Angeles grabbed a 63-33 lead. The seven-time All-Star shot 14 of 21, nailing two 3-pointers, and grabbed six rebounds.

“It’s tough. Usually, when I come home I get to see my family,” he said. “They come to the games and support me. Being in the Western Conference my entire career so far, I only come home once during the season. I miss seeing them in the stands and coming out and cheering me on, supporting me. That was different.”

James, coming off a season-high 34-point outing in a win at Milwaukee two nights earlier, had six assists and six turnovers. And the Lakers won their eighth in a row against Chicago.

The Bulls had won three in a row and matched a franchise record by scoring 115 or more in seven straight games. But against stingy Los Angeles, they struggled, particularly in the early going.

Zach LaVine led Chicago with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Coby White added 14 points and seven rebounds.

“The first half, we just did not play to our identity like we had been trying to play to,” coach Billy Donovan said. “I thought we penetrated and we charged too much. We didn’t find open people when they were there. They were really coming in and protecting the paint. We had some turnovers, gave up some offensive rebounds. The first half, it wasn’t who we’ve been.”

Chicago shot 39 about percent from the field and made 8 of 25 3-pointers. ... Coach Billy Donovan said C Wendell Carter Jr. (quad) is improving, though he’s not sure if he’ll be available Monday against Boston after missing the past two games. “He’s made progress. He is feeling better,” Donovan said.