Emotional returns for Lukadon Sic and Mavericks fans in their first game in Dallas since trading with the Los Angeles Lakers in February.
Luka Doncic scored 31 of 45 points in the highly anticipated first half of the Dallas homecoming as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers locked the playoff spot in a 112-97 victory over the Mavericks.
Doncic’s 46th career 40-point game on Wednesday was complemented by 7 out of 10 rebounds and six assists on 16/28 from the floor, with 3-pointers.
LeBron James posted 27 points and seven boards, while Louis Hachimura added 15 points as the Lakers (49-31) strengthened their grip at the third spot in the Western Conference.
Naji Marshall contributed 23 points and eight assists for Dallas, with PJ Washington earning 14 and Anthony Davis finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in his first game against his old side in Dallas’ first game.
As a result, Dallas (38-42) is calling for one more win to secure his final play-in position in the West.
Don Sic, who was traded for Los Angeles and Davis from Dallas as part of his blockbuster deal on February 2, got emotional in the pre-game video tribute and then received deafening applause when his name was called during the announcement of the starting lineup.
Averaging a franchise record of 28.6 points in Dallas’ 422 games, Donsic cheered on with all possessions or scores, especially early on.
His 14th first quarter points were offset by five Los Angeles sternovers as the Marshall-led Mavericks advanced 30-26 on the first break.
Donsic dominated the second term, draining a trio of three-pointers and 17 of the team’s 34 points as Los Angeles took a 60-57 lead at halftime.
James only had eight points in the first half when he played Don Sic’s second fiddle, but came to life with the third fiddle, and after the Lakers’ cushion balloon went 78-65, Marshall overcame the Dallas storm in one hand, trimming the gap to 83-76 on quarterly play.
Max Christie’s chip dunk edged the Mavs before 84-83, but James led a 9-0 Los Angeles response within 90 seconds, and the Lakers weren’t threatened again.
Doncic’s stepback 3-pointer and strong drive blew the margin to 110-94 after five All-NBA first-team selections were replaced with the remainder of 1:34.
Both teams will play the regular season home finals on Friday night when the Mavericks face Toronto and the Lakers host Houston.
Source link
