Luka Doncic and LeBron James help fuel the Lakers’ surge in victory over the Grizzlies
There have been good weeks and bad weeks for the Lakers this season.
Heading into Friday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, the team was down after losing four of its last five games.
The Memphis game turned into a microcosm of that trend, with the Lakers building effort and intensity only to see them crumble behind less inspired play.
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Ultimately, standout performances from Luka Doncic and LeBron James helped the Lakers rally late and hold on for a 128-121 win at Crypto.com Arena.
Read more: Lakers highlights: Pistons dominate the court as Lakers finish under .500 in December
Doncic and James made sure the 15-point lead the Lakers had before it dissolved late in the third quarter wasn’t taken entirely in vain. Doncic made 17 of 20 free throws to score 34 points with eight assists and six rebounds, and James had 31 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
They got help from Jake LaRavia, who scored 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting along with nine rebounds and stellar defense. Marcus Smart had 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Jaxson Hayes scored 12 points off the bench.
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The Lakers improved to an NBA-best 11-0 when within five or fewer points of their opponent before the final five minutes.
“I think we have a lot of people who shut down the game, especially (me), when LeBron took over today,” Doncic said. “(Jarred Vanderbilt) made a big shot. Jake made a big shot. Jaxson made a big dunk. So, that’s everyone.”
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes dunks on Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (8) and center Jock Landale (31) in the fourth quarter on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
It was a group effort that helped the Lakers seal the victory in the fourth quarter. It was also the first time since March that Doncic and James scored at least 30 points in the same game.
“It was just about playing and playing to the beat,” James said. “We’re trying to find ways to be productive. Obviously Luka did a great job getting to the free throw line… He stepped back from a three, great shot there.
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“Myself, I’m just trying to spread it out a little bit here, a little bit there. I’m just trying to be consistent and be super efficient with my game. So today we worked well with each other and led the pack.”
The Lakers (21-11) trailed 110-109 in the fourth quarter before taking the lead for good with a 12-2 run.
The teams will meet here on Sunday evening.
“We made some big plays offensively and were sharing the ball, and the guys made some big shots,” James said. “Vando’s three, Jake’s three on the other side of the bench at the end of the clock, Jax made a great dunk up the middle. So, those are key moments. And then defensively, we were able to get a couple shots, get a couple rebounds. That allowed us to start pushing up the order.”
Vincenzo update
Gabe Vincent (lower back strain) missed his seventh straight game, but Redick said the team hopes he can practice Saturday and that if he does, “it will be modified.”
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Redick said Vincent won’t play Sunday against the Grizzlies, but the hope is he can play Tuesday at New Orleans or Wednesday at San Antonio.
“We have to give him live exposure, and with the travel day on Monday, it’s going to be tough,” Redick said.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.