Lakers player grades: Luka Doncic drives L.A. to victory over Nets

The Los Angeles Lakers returned home from a successful six-game road trip, during which they won five games, to host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. It was supposed to be the type of game where they launched themselves high into orbit early and never came back down to earth, but it turned out to be almost that proverbial "trap game" following a long road trip. They started quickly and got out to a 22-10 lead, but Brooklyn clawed back to go ahead 44-39 in the second quarter.

A subsequent 15-2 run allowed the Lakers to go back in front, but things were choppy afterward, as the Lakers seemed to have trouble clearing out the cobwebs after spending nearly two weeks in the Central and Eastern Time Zones. Brooklyn seemed to be coming up with more loose balls than the Lakers did, but the Lakers managed to stay in the game by getting to the free throw line. Finally, midway through the fourth quarter, an 11-2 run gave them some breathing room, and it was enough to propel them to a 116-99 victory that wasn't nearly as pretty as the final score may suggest.

Los Angeles clamped down defensively on the Nets when it mattered most, holding them to 15 fourth-quarter points and 36. 4% shooting in the second half. Overall, the Nets shot 41.

7% from the field and 25. 6% from 3-point range, while L. A.