LOS ANGELES — There was no third-quarter meltdown Sunday. The Lakers made sure of that.

They parlayed a slim halftime edge into a 114-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs amid a series of lineup changes at Staples Center.

It wasn’t easy — nothing is for the Lakers these days — but a victory was secured down the stretch thanks to timely plays by Talen Horton-Tucker and Carmelo Anthony, who also happened to join the starters in somewhat surprising moves before the game.

Davis had all the flashy numbers (34 points, 15 rebounds and six assists) but Horton-Tucker probably earned the headline for a team craving depth, defense and, sure, youth.

Horton-Tucker didn’t just return to the Lakers on Sunday. He vaulted onto the starting unit and scored 17 points on a variety of drives and mid-range offerings. It was his first game this season after sustaining a torn thumb ligament last month during pre-season play.

“I wasn’t really thinking about my thumb. I was just trying to play,” Horton-Tucker said, later adding that, “Anything I can do to try and win and get another ring is the most important thing for me.”

Horton-Tucker wasn’t the only lineup change made by Lakers Coach Frank Vogel two days after a humbling 107-83 loss to Minnesota that included a franchise record minus-28 point differential in the third quarter.

Anthony’s first start with the Lakers (8-6) resulted in 15 points on efficient five-for-seven shooting. His three-pointer from the right side gave the Lakers a 110-103 lead with 1:46 to play.

Unlike Friday night, the Lakers didn’t flinch after holding a five-point halftime lead against the Spurs.

“That was a big topic for us at halftime. We spoke about it,” Ellington said, revealing that some players pondered a unique warm-up strategy before the third quarter. “We even said maybe we should get out there and get some two-line layups, old-school style.”

They didn’t. It would have been incredibly entertaining. though.

Not to be forgotten was Davis’ game. He was dominant from the start, scoring 19 points in the first quarter.

“He drove the car tonight and we were just passengers,” Ellington said.

Kent Bazemore did not get off the bench after starting 13 consecutive games for the Lakers and falling into a bad slump last week. DeAndre Jordan also did not play, spending a second consecutive game on the bench.

Dejounte Murray had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Spurs, who fell to 4-9.

The Lakers’ next game is Monday at home against the up-and-coming Chicago Bulls before hitting the road for a five-game trip that includes Milwaukee and Boston.