Playing back-to-back games in the NBA can be quite challenging.
Fatigue tends to play a significant role, making it hard to predict a team’s energy and focus from one game to the next.
However, the Lakers did not underestimate the league’s struggling Kings, securing a 128-104 victory on Sunday night.
Marcus Smart showcased his trademark hustle early in the game, diving for loose balls multiple times during a possession that culminated in Austin Reeves executing an alley-oop with LeBron James. The crowd erupted with excitement, and the Lakers quickly jumped to a 10-2 lead.
It’s worth noting that things haven’t always gone smoothly for the Lakers.
They faced moments of difficulty, but they were back at it just a bit over 24 hours after battling the Warriors in San Francisco.
Luka Doncic stood out with a strong performance, scoring 28 points, along with 9 assists and 5 rebounds. LeBron James added 24 points and 5 assists, while Deandre Ayton impressively made all six of his attempts, finishing with 12 points.
What It Means
The Lakers claimed a 28-point win against a depleted Warriors team on Saturday, bouncing back from a three-game slump.
Sure, both of these wins were ones the Lakers were expected to achieve.
Still, in the context of a tight battle for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, all that truly matters is securing the victories.
The Lakers’ record now stands at 36-24, including an impressive 23-7 against teams below .500.
Turning Point
Late in the third quarter, after losing possession, Doncic hit a fadeaway three-pointer to extend the Lakers’ lead to 89-65.
The Kings made a strong push in the second quarter, winning it 31-28 and starting the third with renewed energy.
But with that decisive shot from Doncic, it became clear the Lakers were in control on Sunday night.
MVP: Luka Doncic
When the Lakers needed a spark, Doncic delivered.
After the Kings narrowed the gap to 70-60, he contributed significantly with 16 points or assists during a crucial stretch.
Interestingly, Doncic was also instrumental in plays where he didn’t score or assist outright, like when Smart sank a corner three-pointer following a trap on Doncic in a pick-and-roll, bolstering the Lakers’ lead to 74-60.
Main Statistics of the Game: 18
The Lakers hit that many three-pointers, adding to their recent success after tying a season-high of 19 the previous night against the Warriors.
Doncic led in this category with four threes, while James, Smart, and Luke Kennard each contributed three.
To the Next
The Lakers will host the Pelicans on Tuesday, who currently hold the title for the worst record in the league.
The Pelicans, sitting at 19-43 this season, saw their four-game winning streak snapped on Sunday in a matchup against the Clippers at Intuit Dome.
