Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Lakers picked up a much needed win over the New York Knicks. The star guard duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves of the Lakers each had big games to help lead the offense.
Despite missing Lebron James in this matchup, Reaves and Doncic were able to take over and achieve a win over an aspiring championship Knicks team. Coming off a win against the Indiana Pacers, the Lakers were eager to continue some winning momentum.
James had missed the game against the Pacers as well. However, in that win Doncic dominated on the offensive end. Though Reaves had a solid game he still didn’t have a great performance which we’ve grown accustomed to seeing, especially in the absence of another star teammate. Reaves would put up 25 points in the Lakers’ 110-97 win.
Now facing an Eastern Conference contender such as the Knicks, the Lakers looked to get Reaves going right away in the first quarter. He would score five of the 11 points to open the quarter. Doncic leads the league in first quarter points, so he and Reaves immediately got it going.
Facing the Knicks who have multiple wing defenders to throw at the duo, they still got it going. Reaves regaining his offensive rhythm and being able to complement Doncic on the court opens the game up for the entire offense.
“Great being his teammate… he needs to be aggressive like this and playing with him is so easy because he draws so much attention and helps others too,” said Doncic.
Closing the first quarter with the lead 31-23, it was in the second quarter where the Lakers made their push. Reaves, who has been in an offensive slump led the Lakers to a 13-point lead at one point. Leading a lineup with himself, Marcus Smart, Jared Vanderbilt, and Maxi Kleber, the Lakers found a spark of defensive activity to go along with Reaves providing the scoring punch.
Whether it was short mid range shots or driving to the basket, Reaves made it a point to be aggressive. Reaves would finish the first half with 15 points, which put him on pace to surpass his last outing against the Pacers by scoring just 19 points.
Even with the Knicks cutting the lead down and getting back into the game, the Lakers duo would not let up. The Lakers were getting a lot of good open looks from three-point range. However, they were not falling, Doncic would fuel the offense by hitting his usual step back threes and drawing fouls.
Other Laker role players such as Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard provided solid contributions along with Doncic, for the Lakers held a lead 88-69 over the Knicks going into the fourth.
New York would make another effort and cut the lead down against the Lakers. Maintaining a level of control the whole way, the Lakers never allowed the Knicks to complete the comeback.
Their defense performed at a very good level against the Knicks, as they held them to only 97 points total in the game. Despite missing some very good looks throughout the game the Lakers played much better defense, but they were led by their star backcourt. Reaves finished the game with 25 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
Doncic ended with 35 points, 8 rebounds, and four assists. The tandem combined for 60 of the Lakers’ 110 points they put up on the Knicks. The pair alone score 10 more points than the rest of the Lakers roster. They even outscored the Knicks star players Karl Anthony-Towns and Jalen Brunson who combined to only score 49 points.
“Just playing basketball and playing the right way, continuing to grind through a couple tough games and play the right way and have fun,” said Reaves.
Doncic and Reaves have been a dynamic scoring backcourt all season when healthy. Their performance and rhythm against the quality of a team such as the Knicks is something to build off of. Maintaining that level of dominance and factoring in James’ return is something the Lakers will have to figure out as we enter the late stretch of the season.
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