LOS ANGELES – The Star-studded Lakers took care of business at home against Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks with 40 year old LeBron James leading the way with an athletic 27 points, which entailed put-back dunks, full court lob layups, along with 12 rebounds. Luka Dončić also helped put his former team away with a solid triple double of 19 points, 12 assists, and 15 rebounds to cap off. It wasn’t an efficient night for the superstar, with him only shooting 35.3% from the field and a measly 14% from three.
Dončić is coming off his best game as a Laker, putting up 32 points and 10 boards on the way to a dominant 23-point win against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in the Mile High City. LeBron complimented Luka’s 30 burger nicely with an efficient 25 points, shooting 58% from the field while adding 3 blocks on the opposite side of the ball. The Mavericks, however, came into last night limping after getting smacked by 24 points in the Bay by the newly acquired Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors. Kyrie Irving gave the Mavs 17 points on 38% from the field and 17% from three, which tied as their leading scorer with P.J Washington.
Although coming off a blowout loss on the road, Dallas kept it relatively close, with the game being 51-59 going into the second half. Kyrie Irving ignited a 3rd quarter surge, as the Mavs cut the game to a 1-point lead as the third quarter came to an end. Los Angeles eventually fought the Mavs off, even with Klay heating up in the 4th, scoring 11 straight points to end the night with 22. Kyrie was the actual hero of Dallas tonight in a loss, with a heroic 35 points, going 6 for 6 from the free throw line. It wasn’t enough to knock LeBron and the Lakers off their throne in SoCal though, with L.A. securing the first revenge matchup win for Luka as a Laker.
This win now moves the Lakers to 35-21 on the season, only climbing closer to the Denver Nuggets who are positioned above them at 3rd in the West. With Luka knocking off the rust and LeBron continuing to be one of the best & most efficient hoopers in the league, Los Angeles needs to be taken seriously as Conference finals contenders. As long as the dynamic duo of LeBron & Luka can find their running legs come playoff time, and they have the first-year coach and, frankly, a coach of the year finalist in J.J. Reddick at the helm, they’ll be a thorn in the side of any team with Finals aspirations in the Western Conference.
