LeBron and Luka Shine, Lakers Snatch an OT Win in Dallas, 119-110

The LA Lakers have survived a tough challenge in Dallas against the Mavericks, posting a win after overtimes, 119-110. It was all possible because of Danny Green, who drilled a three-pointer with the time running out in the regulations, forcing the overtime and handing another chance to his team.

After that, the purple and gold took the momentum and started slicing the dazzled hosts, not allowing them to have a decent opportunity to beat one of the biggest favorites for winning the title this season.

LeBron stepped up and seized the control of the game, scoring 9 of Lakers 16 points in the OT, and finishing the game with a triple-double. He had 39 points, 16 assists, 12 boards, and four steals in 43 minutes. Previously he made some big plays in the fourth once the Lakers got back into the game following a 10-point deficit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7kJLJw8dlo

LBJ was also the one who made it possible for Green to have a shot for the overtimes, by assisting the sharpshooting forward after drawing all the attention.

“Nobody probably in the history of the game delivers the ball to shooters or to scorers better than LeBron James,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “And when he’s scoring as well, he’s near impossible to beat.”

During the regulations, the visiting team didn’t have a bigger advantage than two points, while on the other side, Mavs reached a 15-point edge. Yet, the young and inexperienced guys, led by a fantastic Luka Doncic, didn’t know how to close the game.

Luka was absolutely amazing last night. He posted his 10th career triple-double with 31 buckets, 15 assists and 13 boards, all that in 38 minutes on the floor. The reigning rookie of the year, was unstoppable for the Lakers defense, but he didn’t at have one guy from his team to jump in and help.

“You can’t watch this game and say the NBA isn’t one of the most enjoyable things to watch in the world,” Rick Carlisle said about his player.

James spoke highly of Doncic at the press conference, saying that he feels special because he inspired the youngster when he was a kid. The Slovenian fella often mentioned that the King had a decisive influence on his basketball career, as he always looked up to him.

“You never know who you can inspire along your path,” James said. “For me, playing the game the right way, getting my teammates involved and playing for the purity of the game, I was able to inspire a kid that wasn’t even in America. That’s pretty special.”

His Mavs came into the game flying, making a 12-2 run, and also having a 22-8 lead during the middle of the first. The Lakers would decrease that until the end of the same, but the home team pulled away again in the second sequence. In the late part of that period, the Mavs reached the largest lead of the game, 53-38.

Still, that wasn’t enough for a win.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 16 points, and had 9 rebounds, Dwight Powell had 14. Delon Wright added 12 off the bench, while Tim Hardaway had one fewer.

James had Anthony Davis beside him. AD delivered 31 points with 8 boards and 2 steals and rejections each. Danny Green contributed with 14 points, and Avery Bradly scored 11.

The Lakers were once again bad from downtown, hitting just 9 threes in 32 attempts. Dallas, meanwhile, had 14 of 36. The interesting thing is that the home team had an enormous rebounding advantage, 61-41, but they couldn’t exploit that well enough. Also, what might have influenced the game in the Lakers’ favor were the turnovers, with the home team having twice as much as the guests, 22-11.

Mavs are heading for Ohio, to face the Cleveland Cavaliers this Sunday. The Lakers are going to San Antonio to play vs. Spurs on the same day.