The story nonetheless was about Lakers famous person Luka Doncic and Dallas star Anthony Davis, who had been a part of one of many NBA’s most notorious trades. They endlessly shall be linked after the Mavericks shocked the basketball universe final February by delivery generational expertise Doncic to the Lakers in a deal for multitalented Davis.
On Friday night time, nevertheless, Doncic shared the highlight with Austin Reaves, who continues to be a shining star for the Lakers.
They mixed for 73 factors in the course of the Lakers’ 129-119 win over the Mavericks, and it was Reaves holding down the main scorer spot over backcourt working mate Doncic.
Reaves was environment friendly along with his work in scoring 38 factors, going 12 for 15 from the sphere and 6 for eight from three-point vary to go along with eight rebounds.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic known as of for a blocking foul on Mavericks ahead Naji Marshall at Crypto.com Area on Friday.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Occasions)
The followers even chanted “M-V-P!” when Reaves shot two free throws halfway by means of the fourth quarter, an indication of how dominant he was.
“I finally made the threes, so that was nice,” Reaves mentioned. “Like you said, Luka draws so much attention. [LeBron James[ obviously [is] Bron and they are gonna get the majority of attention. I kind of run around out there and find open spots and make shots, hopefully big shots, and [I] sort of done [that] the last of the night.”
Doncic additionally was environment friendly in dropping 35 factors on his previous Mavericks teammates, going 10 for 17 from the sphere, 4 for 9 from three-point vary, and making all 11 of his free throws.
Doncic additionally had 11 assists and 5 rebounds to assist the Lakers push their profitable streak to 6.
The feelings of enjoying the Mavericks aren’t as uncooked as they had been the primary time Doncic performed in Dallas, however he admitted that he nonetheless has fond emotions for the franchise.
“I would say it’s a little bit easier now,” Doncic mentioned. “But like I said, games against Dallas always have some special meaning to me. I still have a lot of friends there. It’s always special. It’ll always be special for me.”
The Lakers improved to 4-0 in NBA Cup Group B play and clinched home-court benefit within the quarterfinals. They’ll host the San Antonio Spurs on Dec 10.
Earlier than the Lakers play in that NBA Cup recreation, they’ve back-to-back video games right here, Sunday in opposition to the Pelicans and Monday in opposition to the Suns, after which journey to Toronto, Boston and Philadelphia earlier than returning house for the single-elimination recreation in opposition to the Spurs.
“Yeah, just, I mean, you want to win the games regardless, whether they’re for the Cup or not,” Reaves mentioned. “Just to have the best record that you can.”
Davis, who returned after lacking 14 video games due to a left calf pressure, scored 12 factors, grabbed 5 rebounds and handed out 5 assists in his first recreation in Los Angeles for the reason that commerce.
Deandre Ayton, who missed the Lakers’ recreation in opposition to the Clippers on Tuesday due to a proper knee contusion, had 17 factors and eight rebounds.
Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 choose within the draft, had 13 factors, 11 assists and 7 rebounds.
Courtroom change
The Lakers didn’t use their particular NBA Cup courtroom throughout their group stage recreation in opposition to the Mavericks after the staff flagged considerations that it was too slippery.
The courtroom could possibly be repaired and accessible in time for the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
The colourful NBA Cup courts had been designed to assist set the in-season match other than different regular-season video games. The Lakers performed their first two NBA Cup video games on the highway — in Memphis and New Orleans — and Doncic didn’t bear in mind having an issue with courts in these video games, nevertheless it turned instantly clear throughout pregame warmups Tuesday that the Lakers’ vivid yellow NBA Cup courtroom introduced points.
“Yeah, and I really appreciate the Lakers and the league,” Doncic mentioned. “They did us a favor. I was talking about it, so I really appreciate both of them, just changing the court and (so we can) stay healthy.”
For Ayton, who missed the earlier recreation in opposition to the Clippers due to a bruised proper knee, his return was greater than about his 17 factors and eight rebounds.
He was principally impressed by the way in which Reaves carried out.
“He was making some tough buckets, man, like some mean, aggressive buckets under the rim where us trees (big men) were down there and he was making some tough baskets,” Ayton mentioned. “I’m just like, ‘You a dawg.’ I’m running back telling him, ‘You a dawg. Like, you are making some tough baskets.’ You just got to take your hat off to him. I”ve been seeing it since I acquired right here.”
