Lakers Defense Fuels 110-97 Win Over New York, Luka Dončić Scores 35, Austin Reaves 25

Lakers fans (and NBA observers) have spent much of the year discounting the team's fairly impressive record by noting that most of the losses have come against the league's more successful teams. Often in blowout fashion. When will LA beat good the good teams? 

Well, Sunday the Knicks rolled into Crypto.com Arena as a Certified Good Team, and the Lakers used great defense, consistent effort and good-enough offensive performances to grind out a 110-97 win. It wasn't perfect, and the Lakers benefitted from cold shooting by the New York. But that's true of almost every game across the league. The Lakers controlled this one more or less throughout. They used strong physical play to frustrate the Knicks and particularly Jalen Brunson, for three quarters at least. 

In terms of individual performances, Luka Dončić paced the squad with 35 points. Austin Reaves came out aggressive and finished with 25. How important was Marcus Smart defensively? He was 1-10 from the floor, and finished a +26. Luke Kennard and Rui Hachimura combined for 25 points. The team put pressure on the rim, getting to the line 30 times, and kept turnovers (13) at a reasonable level.

The offense definitely bogged down -- you noticed the absence of LeBron James -- but it was a nice twist for the team to be bailed out repeatedly by its defense. 

It's a nice confidence boost as the Lakers head into a stretch of very difficult games. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win, over a good team! 

 

SEGMENT 2: An aggressive Austin Reaves. 

 

SEGMENT 3: Still need more from the offense. 

 

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