Lakers Triumph Over Mavs to Clinch Home-Court Edge in NBA Cup Quarterfinals
The Los Angeles Lakers secured a crucial victory over the Dallas Mavericks, triumphing 129-119 at Crypto.com Arena. This win marked their sixth consecutive victory and solidified their home-court advantage for the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Lakers Continue Winning Streak
With this latest win, the Lakers improved their overall record to 14-4 and maintained an undefeated record of 4-0 in Cup games. They will face the San Antonio Spurs on December 10 at 7 p.m. in the quarterfinals.
Impressive Performances
The standout performances came from Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. The duo combined for an impressive 73 points, including 26 points in the second half alone. Dončić scored 35 points overall, 17 of which came in the crucial second half. Reaves led all scorers with 38 points, showcasing his shooting prowess with an 80% success rate from the field and 75% from three-point range.
Game Highlights
- The Lakers started strong, hitting 11 of their first 20 shots in the first quarter.
- Dončić tallied a team-high of 11 assists, leveraging the Lakers’ defensive focus on him.
- LeBron James contributed significantly with 13 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
- The Mavericks managed a 40-32 score in the second quarter, briefly taking the lead.
- In total, there were 14 lead changes throughout the game.
Mavericks’ contributions included eight players scoring in double figures, showcasing their balanced offensive attack. The home crowd rallied behind the Lakers, chanting MVP for their stars during free throws.
Player Returns
Anthony Davis made a highly anticipated return after a 14-game absence, scoring 12 points with five rebounds and five assists. His presence was met with enthusiasm from the crowd when he was introduced alongside Max Christie during the Mavericks’ starting lineup.
Next, the Lakers will face the New Orleans Pelicans at home on Sunday, followed by a match against the Phoenix Suns on Monday, before embarking on a six-game road trip.
