Lakers player grades: Luka Doncic carries L.A. to big win over Cavs
The Lakers finished a marvelous month of March by defeating yet another very good team in the Cavaliers thanks to another explosion by Luka Doncic.
One night after downing the Washington Wizards 120-101 , the Los Angeles Lakers faced a key test in the form of the Cleveland Cavaliers , a team many feel has a real shot at reaching the NBA Finals. While Luka Donฤiฤ returned from his automatic one-game suspension that was triggered by his 16th technical foul of the season, veteran guard Marcus Smart missed his fifth straight game due to an ankle injury. The Cavaliers got off to a fast start in this game by scoring the first six points, and when they went up 26-19 with 3:10 to go in the first quarter, it looked like Los Angeles was in some trouble.
But L. A. then flipped the switch in a big way during the following period.
In the second quarter, it outscored the Cavaliers 33-19 to take a 65-53 halftime lead, and after putting up 45 points in the third quarter, it was in total control. The Cavs got to within 14 points midway through the final period, but that was as good as it would get for them. The Lakers rolled to a 127-113 victory, and in one way, it may have been a surprising win.
On the other hand, given how well they have played lately, and considering some of the other quality teams they have defeated, perhaps this is simply the new normal for a Lakers team that was inconsistent throughout December, January and February. The Purple and Gold shot 54. 2% from the field and 41.
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