The Los Angeles Lakers secured a place in the Emirates NBA Cup knockout round Tuesday night by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 135-118 at Crypto.com Arena.
The victory moved the Lakers to 13-4 on the season and locked up West Group B. Luka Doncic powered the offense with 24 points in the opening quarter and finished the first half with 32. Despite the fast start, James Harden’s buzzer-beater gave the Clippers a 38-37 edge after one.
With Doncic resting early in the second period, LeBron James and Austin Reaves pushed the Lakers back in front. Kawhi Leonard picked up his third foul midway through the quarter, but Harden, Kris Dunn and John Collins kept the Clippers close. Los Angeles carried a 69-66 advantage into the break.
The Lakers opened the third quarter on a 9-4 run, yet the Clippers answered with an 11-0 stretch triggered by two quick Harden baskets. James closed the period strong, sending the home team into the fourth up 98-93.
James continued to press the attack in the final quarter, extending the margin to double digits. He, Reaves and Doncic combined to keep the Lakers comfortably ahead, and the Clippers never mounted a late rally.
A brief altercation occurred in the closing minutes when Dunn shoved Doncic. Jaxson Hayes intervened, leading to Dunn’s ejection and a technical foul on Hayes.
Next up, the Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in their final group game after the Thanksgiving break. The matchup will mark Doncic’s first meeting with his former club this season, and reports suggest Mavericks big man Anthony Davis could return from injury.
Source: Lakers Nation
