After a close loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers tried to get back on track on Friday night when they returned home to take on the Indiana Pacers.
The Lakers were without some key pieces in LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber, but the Pacers have been struggling all season. With that being the case, L.A. was able to come away with a 128-117 victory to improve to 38-25 on the year.
Former Lakers center Jay Huff got things started with a block and a 3-pointer, but then Rui Hachimura and Luka Doncic both hit their first triples as well. Despite that, the Pacers jumped out to an early lead as Huff was punishing them inside.
On the other end of the court, the Lakers were attacking the basket with Doncic, Hachimura and Luke Kennard all finishing tough layups inside. Doncic caught fire from there, making four 3-pointers in a row to give him 22 points in the first quarter alone, and the Lakers led 35-27 going into the second.
With Doncic on the bench, Austin Reaves got going offensively with his first bucket and Jaxson Hayes had a three-point play to maintain the lead. When Doncic returned, he picked up where he left off with a midrange shot and another 3.
Celebrating his 32nd birthday, Marcus Smart hit back-to-back triples to extend the lead to double digits for the first time. It was a strong close to the half for the Lakers, who went into the locker room leading 64-51.
Both teams cooled down a bit offensively to begin the third quarter, although Hachimura kept the lead above double digits with a 3-pointer.
While Doncic started to cool down offensively, he made and impact on the other end with a steal and a block. He then going going again with a pair of layups and a banked triple, and the Lakers continued to grow their lead, eventually getting it to 99-80 at the end of the third.
Doncic had 44 points before the fourth quarter even started as it was one of those special nights for the Lakers star. With the team continuing to extend the lead early in the final frame though, led by Reaves and Kennard, Doncic was able to call it a night without reentering the game.
The Lakers got their lead up to 24 and never looked back, cruising to the easy win.
What’s next for the Lakers…
The Lakers’ schedule gets tough from here as they host the New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon and then the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
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