For the first time this season, the Lakers did not get a 40-point performance. Instead, it was a balanced attack from Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Jake LaRavia as the Lakers picked up their fifth win of the season, knocking off the Heat, 130-120.
Luka Dončić notched a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Austin Reaves had 26 points with 11 assists. Jaxson Hayes pitched in with 15 points.
Rui Hachimura scored 15 points, going 6-12 from the field. Jake LaRavia had a great game
with 25 points, eight assists and four steals.
LA started hot offensively with Hachimura scoring the first five Lakers points. It was Hayes who then took over, scoring 10 points, including a 3-pointer.
The Lakers were shooting 64% while Miami was shooting 58%. LA was also shooting 42% from behind the arc to the Heat’s 25%.
Six points from Jaime Jaquez Jr. helped Miami pick up its tempo offensively, keeping them close as the Lakers still had the lead. Los Angeles then retook the momentum thanks to LaRavia scoring a quick five points.
Reaves threw a lob to Bronny James for the emphatic dunk that had the crowd excited. At the end of the first, the purple and gold were up seven.
The Lakers started the second quarter missing their first few shots until Reaves converted on a layup at the 9:49 mark. Both teams picked up their energy offensively, but LA remained in control of the game.
Smart’s impact was on full display as he now had one block, two steals, and three assists. His block came as Jaquez Jr. on a fastbreak dunk attempt.
Luka scored a quick five points, helping Los Angeles extend their lead to what had now become 15.
The team was also cooking from behind the arc at 41%. They were dishing quite a few dimes with 16 assists on 24 made field goals. Four of five starters were in double figures for Los Angeles.
At halftime, the Lakers were up by 14.
Both teams started the third quarter well offensively. The Lakers drained two 3-pointers, and Miami made one. Bam Adebayo scored four points, pushing his point total to 13. Jaquez Jr. was the leading scorer for the Heat with 21.
The once 14-point lead for LA was now down to five thanks to an 8-0 scoring run for Miami. Hachimura scored in the paint to stop the run.
Luka was having a rough night from behind the arc, scoring on only one out of his eight attempts. Los Angeles was up by nine at the 4:01 mark.
LA ended the quarter poorly, allowing Miami to score eight straight to close to within four points heading into the final period.
The final frame began with Los Angeles struggling to defend Miami, who were still keeping it close. Hachimura drained his third 3-pointer of the game. Each time the Heat kept pulling close enough to take the lead, LA had the answer.
Smart drained his second 3-pointer of the game in the corner off a Bronny feed as he was providing every bit of impact the team needed to keep this lead.
It had become a four-point game until Reaves and LaRavia scored a combined four points to make it an eight-point game with 4:56 left. This run extended to 8-0, putting the Lakers in a great position to get the win.
Miami was on a three-minute scoring drought. Although they did break that drought, it wasn’t enough as LA scored just enough to lock in the win.
Key Takeaways:
If anyone out there still didn’t know who number 12 is, you should know now.
Bronny James may not have scored a bunch, but this was one of his best impact games as a Laker. Two assists and three steals, along with great defense, provided a much-needed boost off the bench.
The Lakers’ next matchup is Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers at 7:00 PM PT.
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.
