With Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic wreaking havoc, the Lakers finished group play unbeaten at 4-0 on top of clinching home court advantage come the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Anthony Davis’ first game back in LA since the Dallas trade brought him to a familiar place where he spent six seasons and won his first-ever title.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves made sure the night didn’t go his way.
The dynamic duo combined for 73 points, powering a 129-119 Lakers triumph over the Mavericks to secure West Group A and home-court advantage in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, November 29 (PH time).
Reaves delivered a 38-point masterclass on a 12-of-15 shooting as Doncic added a remarkable double-double of 35 markers and 11 dimes to help LA finish the group play unbeaten at 4-0.
The Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs—who topped West Group B after defeating the Denver Nuggets earlier—in a win-or-go-home quarterfinal clash.
It also marked the Lakers' sixth consecutive win, improving the team to 14-4 for sole possession of second place in the West behind the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder (19-1).
Davis contributed 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists in his first game back after missing Dallas’ previous 14 games due to a left calf strain.
Despite having eight players score in double digits, the Mavericks absorbed their fourth loss in five games, ending their NBA Cup campaign at 1-3.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.