The Los Angeles Lakers extended their win streak to four as they beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-101.
The Los Angeles Lakers have had another disappointing season so far. Fortunately, however, the team headed into their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks with a three-game win streak. Although that win streak may seem short, it was the longest for the Lakers this season.
Over those three games, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram did the heavy lifting for the team. Both showed glimpses of their potential and their importance to the team. Moreover, they displayed that they are the true leaders of the team.
Ball averaged 12 points, 10.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 3.3 steals per game. Additionally, he shot 41.2 percent from the floor and 34.8 percent from deep. Although Ingram is not as great an all-around player as Ball, he made his presence known with his scoring . Brandon averaged 20.3 points, three rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. More impressively, he shot 62.2 percent from the floor and an astonishing 60 percent from deep.
Similar to the Lakers, the Mavericks were also happy heading into the matchup. The team was on a two-game winning streak and had won six of their last nine games. Four of those six wins were against possible playoff teams – the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Dirk Nowitzki and Harrison Barnes led their team during those nine games. Nowitzki averaged 14.9 points and 5.7 rebounds. Although the stats are not eye-popping, Dirk shot an incredibly efficient 52 percent from the floor, 40.6 percent from deep, and 88.2 percent from the charity stripe. Barnes added in averages of 20.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Similar to Nowitzki, he shot 52.8 percent from the floor, 45.7 percent from deep, and 92.9 percent from the line.
In yesterday’s game, the Lakers beat the Mavs, 107-101, in an overtime nailbiter. Both teams played extremely unselfish basketball. In fact, all but two players who played scored at least two points. Furthermore, everyone who played for L.A. scored.
The Lakers next game will be on Monday at FedExForum when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies. Before that, however, let’s take a look at some takeaways from the win against the Mavericks.