Lakers beat Mavericks as Doncic, Reaves shine

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated Dallas Mavericks by 129-119 on Friday night. This was also return match for Mavericks’ talisman Anthony Davis, who made a comeback after almost a month. Davis finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks.

He was 6-of-10 shooting and didn’t attempt a free throw in 28 minutes. Davis said the Lakers doubled teamed whenever he had the ball in his hand.

“We weren’t really trying to force anything,” Davis said. “They were kind of double-teaming every time I caught the ball. As soon as I catch it and turn around, it was two guys in my face. I was just trying to make the right play with the pass. The shots [will] come to me when I have an opportunity to score, but the rhythm’s going to get there.”

Meanwhile, Lakers fans gave Davis a loud applause when his name was called during pregame introductions.

Austin Reaves starred for the Lakers, scoring 38 points on 12-of-15 shooting before exchanging jerseys postgame with his former teammate Davis.

“He’s one of the best players to ever touch a basketball,” Reaves said of Davis. “I don’t know why he wanted my jersey, but for me to get his, it’s pretty fun. … I got a lot of love for AD. He’s a big reason that [I am] where I’m at right now. From day one, he was telling me to be myself, don’t be anybody else. Continue to work and, really, just be myself on the court. So I owe him a lot.”

Meanwhile, the Mavericks are struggling in the Western Conference as they are 5-15 after this loss.

“Any time you’re sitting down and you see these guys, especially in close games, you wish you could be out there,” Davis said. “As one of the leaders, you want to go out there. It’s a competitive nature to go out and help these guys, but now I have opportunity to do that.”

On the other hand, Lakers are 14-4 and have won their last six games. JJ Redick’s team will next take on New Orleans Pelicans and they would look to carry the winning impetus.