The Lakeshow Review

From tipoff, it was clear that this wouldn’t be your ordinary early April game. Emotions were pouring from the hometown fans for their former hometown kid. A player whom they saw drafted, developed and blossom into a star. A young man who made his journey from Slovenia (by way of Real Madrid) into the bright lights of the NBA seven years ago in 2018. A generational talent who led Dallas to its third NBA Finals berth just last year, and was considered by many to be the franchise’s cornerstone. The Prodigal Son, Luka Dončić, returned to his old stomping grounds in Dallas for the first time since being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 2nd. 

The Lakers looked to get back on track, on the second night of a back-to-back, following a tough 1136-120 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night. A game that saw Dončić receive a questionable ejection after being handed a second technical for the night during the final minutes of the fourth quarter. To make matters worse, this was a game The Lakers seemed to be in control of, before Luka’s ejection. Safe to say, the team was in dire need of a win tonight, as they’re looking to secure a top 3 playoff seed and avoid the vaunted play-in tournament; and dropping consecutive games would certainly not help that cause. The stage was set and the lights were bright for Dončić to return to the American Airlines Center in Downtown Dallas, a place he once called home, and put on a show for the hometown fans while helping his new team secure a much-needed road win. And put on a show he did. 

The Lakers prevailed in a hard-fought 112-97 win. Dončić wasted no time going to work. His 45 points matched a personal season-high, becoming just the second player in NBA history to record 45 point outings for and against the same team in the same season. LeBron James added 27 points (with 13 of them coming in the final quarter) while Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves each contributed 15 and 11 points apiece. Naji Marshall, of the Mavericks, lead his team with 23 points, while former Lakers Anthony Davis and Max Christie (both part of the Luka trade) scored 13 and 11 points respectively. 

Game-plan-wise, the Lakers continue to have an answer for opposing teams’ big men, holding AD to just 13 points on 13 shots. Davis was double-teamed or trapped after virtually every catch, mostly in delicate areas of the floor such as the baseline, which limited Davis’ passing angles and court vision. It bears mentioning that Dallas’ main perimeter star Kyrie Irving is out with injury, and their other marquee name Klay Thompson did not play to his standards (only scoring 6 points). The LA defensive trio of Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and James Goodwin were instrumental in disrupting passing lanes and forcing Dallas turnovers, particularly during their half court sets. Luka also had a strong defensive game with 4 steals. The Lakers won the turnover battle 12-20. 

Offensively, LA spread the floor, attacking primarily from a 5-out set. Early on, they found success running pistol action (which is when two wings combine for either a handoff or a ball screen at the wing, with the center trailing the play at the top of the key), which often led to switches, leaving Dallas center Derrick Lively guarding either Reaves or LeBron out in space. The team continues to thrive in transition (15 fast break points to Dallas’ 13) anchored by the playmaking of the trio of Luka, Reaves and LeBron. One particular play of note was a breathtaking alley-oop from Reaves to LeBron early in the 2nd quarter. 

But the star of the night was one Luka Dončić. His 45 points led both teams substantially, and also tied his Lakers season-high which he set versus Milwaukee earlier this season. Coach JJ Redick made a conscious effort to allow for Luka to operate in space within the half court, often targeting switches that Luka successfully attacked. It was clear that this was a game were he would get to shine his offensive prowess. It didn’t hurt that he shot a blistering 7-10 from beyond the arc, mostly on stepbacks, when attacking said switches. In my opinion, Rui Hachimura had a strong performance with 15 points (on 3-7 from beyond the arc) successfully spacing the floor for Luka on the half court, draining a couple of corner threes, and finishing his baskets in transition. Dallas tried hedging on Luka ball screens late in the 4th quarter, but they were successfully countered with Rui and Austin Reaves short rolls. Austin is a great playmaker in these situations, and Rui can hit the pull up jumper when the defense sags. LeBron James also did his part to help the team pull away late, scoring 13 of his 27 points in the final quarter. Luka put the finishing touches after hitting a stepback three and a driving layup in consecutive possessions before exiting the game to a round of cheers and nostalgia-ridden applause. 

It was a bitter sweet moment for the Mavs faithful, but from a Lakers perspective, this was certainly a performance to build upon. The team was gassed following a tough loss last night, but they found a way to tough it out and find enough balance to complement Luka’s Superstar Of The Night performance and triumphant homecoming. The goal now should be to finish the season strong and secure that 3 seed. Go Lakers.