The G League’s South Bay Lakers collected two more wins last week to extend their record to 5-5. They are favored to continue the winning streak at home this week.
With a challenging schedule last week, the South Bay Lakers faced the Grand Rapids Drive, Salt Lake City Stars and Memphis Hustle last week.
The Drive showed up to El Segundo ready to win. Jordan Bone, Craig Sword and Pe’Shon Howard all scored over 20 points. Additionally, Donta Hall and Todd Withers pulled together double-doubles. It was close most of the game but then South Bay went off in the 3rd quarter taking the lead into the fourth quarter.
Gary Payton II outscored the court with 24 points, and two-way player Zach Norvell Jr. was close behind with 22 points. Devontae Cacok had his seventh double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. A solid non-conference win for the Lakers.
Next, the Lakers went on the road to face the Western Conference’s 2nd ranked, Salt Lake City Stars. The two teams battled, the Stars edging out the Lakers with more shots off to win 113-100. Trevon Bluiett stood out for the Stars with 29 points, shooting 10-for-14.
South Bay’s Reggie Hearn put up 22 points and Cacok had another double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. With just a couple fewer turnovers and quicker triggers on shots, the Lakers shouldn’t have any trouble beating the Stars in their next meeting in February.
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The Lakers returned home for the weekend to face the undefeated Memphis Hustle. The Hustle had been on the road for a week but has previous Phoenix Suns lottery pick, Josh Jackson, to help lift the team. Josh Jackson finished with 21 points and eight rebounds, while his teammates Dusty Hannahs collected 28 points and Matt Mooney put up 19.
It was South Bay, though, who gave Memphis their first loss of the season. Long-time vet, Andre Ingram had 22 points and Norvell Jr. had 21. Also on the board was Cacok with his ninth double-double consisting of 14 points and 15 rebounds. Payton II also doubled up with 14 points and 11 assists. Despite the Memphis hustling in the fourth quarter, Lakers won 125 to 118.
Another busy week for the Lakers lays ahead. Fortunately, all of the games will be at home in El Segundo through Sunday.
Starting Tuesday, December 10, the Lakers will face the Santa Cruz Warriors and then the Northern Arizona Suns on Friday, December 13. Both games should be relatively easy wins, however, with the two teams hungry to knock off better opponents, now is not the time for the Lakers to relax.
On Sunday, December 15, the Stockton Kings will come to town. With both teams looking to push their records in the winning direction, it should be neck and neck.
The Lakers are 4-1 at home, so if they are able to use that advantage, and grab three more wins this week, they will be sitting comfortably heading into the end of December.