Luka Doncic helps Lakers hold off Jazz for fourth straight win
Luka Doncic’s triple barely missed the net. Austin Reaves’ shot bounces off the rim. Another didn’t hit anything.
The Lakers’ shooting slump extended, but their winning streak also lengthened as the team that averaged the fewest three-pointers in the league won its fourth straight game as it held off the Utah Jazz 108-106 at Delta Center on Sunday.
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The Lakers (12-4) shot just 26.3 percent from three-point range and let an 11-point lead with 3:33 left in the fourth quarter cut to one when Lauri Markkanen hit a 3-pointer with 41.3 seconds left.
Doncic had 33 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and made one of two free throws to set up the Lakers’ final defensive possession that ended with a contested three-point shot by guard Keyonte George. Doncic made just three of 12 three-point attempts while Reaves put together a 22-point, 10-rebound night despite shooting just one of eight threes.
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“We didn’t play our best game and we still find a way to win. That’s what great teams do,” Doncic said.
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The Lakers lead the league in field goal percentage (50.9%). They shoot 62.2% from two-point range when no other team has managed to reach 60%. Their effective field goal percentage ranks fourth (57.2%) despite being the fifth-worst three-point shooting team in percentage (33.3%).
The most important metric? The Lakers have the second best record in the Western Conference.
“Obviously I think me and AR didn’t hit the mark this season,” Doncic said sarcastically, “so I’m not worried at all. Once we start doing [shots]it will be really difficult to protect.
Coach JJ Redick praised his team’s unity and adaptability in dealing with shooting woes. With the exception of heavy losses to Atlanta and Oklahoma City, the Lakers have given just enough to put them in a position to compete. On Sunday, playing against a dynamic and fast-paced team, the match needed a defensive spark.
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Forward Maxi Kleber responded in the second half after center Deandre Ayton left with a right knee contusion. The Jazz (5-11) opened the third quarter on a 17-6 run as George put Utah up 72-68 with 6:59 remaining. Kleber, who hadn’t played at all in the first half, entered the game.
He finished with two points, a dunk with 1:21 left in the fourth quarter and three rebounds, but made a decent impact on the defense with his physicality. The Lakers outscored the Jazz 16-9 with Kleber down in the third quarter.
“He was one of the best players on the field for us tonight,” Reaves said. “Just energy, effort, the way he plays, the plays he made.”
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Redick had no update on Ayton’s status immediately after the game. The center finished with two points in 13 minutes, 26 seconds. Without him, the Lakers could rely on Jaxson Hayes and Kleber, or bring back Jarred Vanderbilt after the forward fell out of the rotation upon LeBron James’ return.
James, playing his second game this season after being sidelined with sciatica, finished with 17 points and eight assists. He said it almost felt like a repeat of his first game after the Lakers had an extended four-day break with no games.
Doncic said the break was beneficial from a rest standpoint, but it also broke the team’s rhythm. The team practiced, but the highlight of the free time were additional team bonding exercises that included a visit from Snoop Dogg and a team-wide pickleball tournament.
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Smiling about dominating the semifinal against Redick, Doncic, who was paired with player development coach Ty Abbott for the pickleball tournament, knew the true value of that break. The Lakers’ strong early-season chemistry may help ease the pain of the shooting slump.
“It’s obviously nice, but I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise,” Doncic said of the team’s strong bond. “I really enjoy playing with these guys and that’s the point.”
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.