The Lakers clinched the top spot in their NBA Cup group with a blowout win over the Clippers on Tuesday, 135-118.
After a close game throughout the first three quarters, the purple and gold blew the game open
in the fourth quarter, outsourcing their rivals 37-24 in the final frame.
The game started with an offensive-heavy pace for both teams. Luka and Hachimura combined for 11 of the first 15 points for the Lakers while Kris Dunn had seven points for the Clippers.
Luka was hot from behind the arc, draining five triples in the first quarter as he raced into double figures with 20 points.
James Harden, meanwhile, was up to eight points. Neither team played good defense, which led to a shootout with both teams shooting over 50% from the field. A 3-pointer from Harden put the Clippers up by one at the end of the first.
The Clippers scored five points early in the second period to add to their lead. Reaves scored five points in response to help stop that momentum. LeBron only had four points, all of which came from the charity stripe.
Both teams were shooting an identical 21-36 from the field. Harden was now up to 17 points, the only Clipper in double figures. LeBron began heating up, scoring five points, bringing his total to nine points in the quarter.
At halftime, the purple and gold were nursing a three-point lead.
Offense was once again on full display to start the second half. LeBron scored four points, helping extend the lead to eight for the Lakers. Luka also drained his seventh 3-pointer of the night, helping the Lakers grow their lead to 10
However, the Clippers completely erased it with a 9-0 scoring run before a midrange jumper from Kawhi Leonard put the Clippers up by one.
With 2:45 left until the final frame, the Lakers were down by one. The lead kept going back and forth. At the end of the third, the Lakers were up by five.
The final frame began with three quick points from the charity stripe for Reaves. It led to a 10-4 scoring run, which put the Lakers back up by double figures. The momentum was completely in favor of the purple and gold.
Reaves was completely shouldering the offensive load with 12 points in the quarter. He was up to 25 for the night. The Clippers slowly tried to mount a comeback, adding seven points to their total.
At the 3:33 mark, things got spicy as a brouhaha between Dunn, Luka and Hayes that led to Dunn’s ejection and a technical foul on Hayes.
Luka threw up a lob to Hayes, who then emphatically dunked it, securing the win. Both teams then emptied their benches. Newly acquired two-way Drew Timme scored his first bucket as a Laker in garbage time.
Key Player Stats
Luka Dončić scored 24 of his 43 points in the first quarter. He also had nine rebounds and 13 assists. LeBron James ended with 25 points and six assists. Austin Reaves pitched in with 31 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Jaxson Hayes stepped into the starting lineup in place of Deandre Ayton and ended with eight points. Rui Hachimura notched 13 points, shooting 66.7% from the field.
Jake LaRavia had four points. Marcus Smart had seven points and three assists. Maxi Kleber scored two points with three rebounds.
The Lakers’ next matchup is Friday against the Dallas Mavericks at 7:00 PM PT.
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.
