Mavericks rout Lakers with LeBron James sitting, Anthony Davis near return

Luka Doncic scored 34 factors in a triple-double and the Dallas Mavericks routed the Lakers 128-110 on Tuesday evening with Los Angeles lacking LeBron James due to an ankle difficulty whereas anticipating the return of long-injured Anthony Davis.

James and Davis did not play after being listed as uncertain, which was truly an improve for Davis. The eight-time All-Star hasn’t performed since Feb. 16 due to a proper mid-foot sprain. His first full apply for the reason that damage was Monday in Dallas.

The query is when the superstars, who’ve performed simply 21 video games collectively this season, return. The Lakers (31-44) are tied with San Antonio for the ultimate play-in spot within the Western Convention with seven video games remaining for each groups, though the Spurs have the tiebreaker.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel was non-committal concerning the standing of James and Davis for the finale of a three-game street journey in Utah on Thursday. LA completes a back-to-back Friday at dwelling towards New Orleans. The Pelicans are ninth within the West, a recreation forward of the Lakers and Spurs.

“With these guys out, we’re at a expertise deficit, so the main target and execution has to make up for it,” Vogel mentioned. “That is simply the newest dose of adversity that this yr’s crew has confronted. Once you lose ’Bron, OK, you must regulate but once more all through a season of setbacks.”

Malik Monk scored 28 factors and Russell Westbrook had 25 for the Lakers, who dropped their third straight for his or her fifth shedding streak a minimum of that lengthy prior to now two months as a part of a gradual slide away from .500 for the 2020 champs.

Doncic had 25 factors within the first half as Dallas scored a season-high 82 for a 26-point lead. He completed with 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

The 23-year-old star secured his first triple-double in nearly two months and tenth of the season with an offensive rebound for a layup that gave him 32 factors and put Dallas up 101-65 with 6:58 left within the third quarter. Doncic sat the fourth.

Maxi Kleber capped an 11-0 run within the remaining 84 seconds of the primary quarter with a coast-to-coast layup simply earlier than the buzzer. Dallas shot 64% for a 43-25 lead.

One of many few occasions LA tried to defend the 3-pointer, Spencer Dinwiddie was fouled on a 3 that put Dallas up 63-33 within the second quarter. He missed the free throw. Dallas was 11 of 19 from 3 after Dinwiddie’s make and completed with a season-high 20 in 46 makes an attempt.

“We respect who they’re,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd. “They’re harmful. (Monk) performed properly. Russ performed properly. We took care of enterprise from the beginning. I believe these guys set the tone. Three nice quarters of basketball.”

TIP-INS

Lakers: The opposite assembly in Dallas this season was one of many 21 video games James and Davis have performed collectively. The Lakers gained it 107-104 in extra time on Austin Reaves’ 3 with a second remaining on Dec. 15. Reaves missed all 4 of his makes an attempt from deep in his return and scored three factors. … Stanley Johnson matched his season excessive with 16 factors.

Mavericks: G Brandon Knight signed his second 10-day contract of the season beneath the COVID-19 allowances after G Trey Burke joined G Sterling Brown within the well being and security protocols. … Reggie Bullock scored 17 factors and was 5 of 8 from 3, placing him at 12 of 19 over two video games after going 1 of 12 within the earlier two.

DALLAS IN THE WEST

The Mavericks (47-29) moved inside a recreation of Stephen Curry and Golden State for the third seed within the West. Dallas owns the tiebreaker.

The victory and Utah’s 121-115 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers gave the Mavericks a two-game lead for the No. 4 seed, the ultimate spot with home-court benefit within the first spherical.

The Jazz and Denver are 45-31, tied for the fifth seed and the Northwest Division lead. The Mavericks have the tiebreaker on the Nuggets. Utah, which swept the season sequence from the Nuggets, would have the tiebreaker with Dallas by profitable its division. In any other case, the Mavs have it.

HOWARD BENCHED

Dwight Howard did not play once more for the Lakers after popping out 5 minutes into the sport.

“We obtained down 25 factors very early within the recreation so I used to be on the lookout for any individual else to get one thing completed,” Vogel mentioned.

UP NEXT

Lakers: LA can sweep the season sequence towards Utah for the second time in three seasons after going the earlier 34 years with out doing it.

Mavericks: The second evening of the ultimate back-to-back of the common season is Wednesday in Cleveland. It opens the final street journey (4 video games) as Dallas completes a stretch of 15 of 23 video games away from dwelling.