Luka Doncic had considered one of his finest video games for the LA Lakers on his return to Dallas.
After an emotional tribute video, Luka Doncic went out in opposition to his former group Dallas Mavericks and dropped 45 factors on 57% taking pictures from the sector.
Whereas the NBA world continued criticising Nico Harrison for the commerce, Doncic made positive he did his half for LA Lakers and led the aspect to a cushty 112-97 win on the evening.
The Lakers are at the moment third seed within the West and properly positioned to complete immediately within the playoffs in the event that they finish their common season properly.
They’ve appeared extraordinarily properly because the commerce and plenty of imagine the Lakers may very well be a tricky aspect to beat within the playoffs.
Doncic has confirmed his skill within the postseason each single time he has been there in his profession.
He has the second finest scoring common within the playoffs, second solely to the nice Michael Jordan.
NBA Insider Tim Bontemps opined the presence of Doncic is likely one of the causes the Lakers can be harmful within the playoffs.
Talking on ‘The Hoop Collective’ podcast, Bontemps mentioned: “You noticed yesterday why this commerce [Luka-AD] was so insane. Luka Doncic’s total basketball life has delivered in huge moments. He gained Euro Basket with Slovenia, he gained the Euro League with Actual Madrid, was the MVP of the Euro League Closing 4 as an 18-year-old, has obtained the Mavs to the ultimate, has numerous occasions delivered in huge conditions.”
Doncic’s return to Dallas was probably the most anticipated video games within the NBA because the All-Star break.
Not solely was it his first time taking part in in opposition to the Mavericks in Dallas, but it surely was additionally Antony Davis‘ first recreation in opposition to his former side- Lakers.
Whereas Doncic dropped an unstoppable 45-point efficiency, AD however solely managed 13 factors and struggled to get going.
Bontemps acknowledged AD’s efficiency in opposition to Lakers proved to the world on how good the commerce was for them.
“This entire recreation and the way this performed out, Sure AD’s coming off an harm, sure Kyrie is damage, sure the Mavs aren’t the group they might hope they might be. This recreation additionally was a 48 minute reflection of in each manner why this commerce was so ridiculous from the start and why it’s given the Lakers a wholly new lease on life,” mentioned Bontemps.
The Lakers are at the moment third seed, whereas the Mavs sit tenth and should compete within the play-in competitors to make the playoffs.
Lakers weren’t on this comfy of a place earlier than the commerce, however including Doncic alongside LeBron James and Austin Reaves has been a recreation changer.
He has adjusted properly to the group and AR and James have each performed properly off Doncic, who is a good passer.
The playoffs convey the perfect out of the Slovenian and will probably be attention-grabbing to see how he gala’s this time round as all eyes can be on him particularly now that he’s on the Lakers.
