New FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Mavericks- Game 75
Los Angeles Lakers (31-44) | Dallas Mavericks (47-29)
The Lakers let the Mavericks run up 82 points in the first half, ultimately leading to their 128-110 loss.
James was sidelined last night, leaving the Lakers lost. It was not a pretty showing for this already struggling team, nearing the same level of humiliation Will Smith brought on during the Oscars. The Mavericks have been deadly all season, with no exception last night as they demolished LA.
Luka Doncic got the scoring started on an 8-2 run, scoring 6 of the 8 for Dallas before Russel Westbrook could end the streak. Doncic responded with a deep three, while Westbrook remained the only early offense for the Lakers. Scoring the first and only 6 points in the start, his team fell to a double-digit deficit quickly.
The Mavericks would post 43 points in the first quarter, with Doncic already at 17. With James sidelined, the lack of size in defense was showing. Dallas was over 75 percent from the field, heading into the second. The quarter ended on an 11-0 run led by Reggie Bullock with two from deep, and the Lakers were down by 18.
Davis Bertans opened the second quarter with two threes, with Spencer Dinwiddie also putting up a three of his own in the middle of the quarter, helping the Mavs pull away with a 30 point lead. Doncic was quiet for most of the second until buckets from Westbrook and Malik Monk began showing signs of momentum for Los Angeles.
The 23-year-old nuisance for Laker Nation last night would finish the first half strong. A highlight spin around jumper had him bullying the defense in the first minutes of the game and finishing the half with 25 points, nearing a triple-double. Westbrook also did not have a terrible first half picking up the mantle as the first option, nearing 20 with 18 points before the break.
Not much more praise can be given to the Lakers on behalf of last night’s performance, however, since the defense allowed the Mavericks to score 82 points in one half. To be down 26 at this point not only came from shooting below 40 percent from the field but also a significant lack of firepower. Players like Wenyen Gabriel and Austin Reaves have a great deal of value for this team but are simply not gifted enough to take over the game by themselves. Going into the second half, relying on the role players was a sure sign of another loss in the making.
The Lakers had an atrocious first half; 25 points by Doncic helped send them down 26 at 82-56 into the break.
More frustration came for Frank Vogel and the Lakers in the second half due to Doncic leading a 19-7 run to put Dallas back up nearly 30. Westbrook again took the initiative to end a serious run for his opponent, cashing in a three while continuing to improve his game in that department.
Malik Monk also stepped up to keep Dallas from even more damage, hitting three from outside the perimeter in just over a minute. While he joined Russ in the 20-point club, the lone player in the 30-point club was on the other side. Doncic set the tone in the first three quarters for Dallas, ending his night there. They showed signs of wanting to win by as much as they could.
The Lakers would go on a 7-1 run led by Carmelo Anthony to start the fourth, followed by an 11-3 run led by Stanley Johnson. The deficit was too unrealistic to trim down for the Lakers, but they tried their best to bring it down to 19.
Dallas posted too much offense on the board for the Lakers to come back in the final 5 minutes, closing out the game with yet another unsurprising loss. The Lakers are now pushed out of play-in contention as the 11 seed. Should this level of play continue, there will sadly be no postseason appearance this year for Los Angeles.
The Lakers are in Utah Thursday to face the Jazz. The game will be available at 7 p.m. on TNT.
Lakers vs Mavericks Lakers vs Mavericks Lakers vs Mavericks Lakers vs Mavericks Lakers vs Mavericks Lakers vs Mavericks Lakers vs Mavericks
Duncan Dye – Franchise Sports Media
Follow Duncan on Instagram @duncandyefsm
Follow The Franchise on social media
