Business picked up for the Los Angeles Lakers as Anthony Davis returned to the lineup for the first time since Valentine’s Day against the Dallas Mavericks. He played only in the first half as the Lakers lost to the Mavs in a very evenly played game.
The NBA playoffs are one month away and the playoff positioning is getting more spotlight with each day passing. This game was a prime example as the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers started the first of their two-game series on Thursday.
But the main storyline of this game came from the Lakers’ side… Anthony Davis is back on the NBA hardwood!
On the way ... tonight. pic.twitter.com/69LLcY2bg4
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 23, 2021
The Los Angeles Lakers played tough but lost 115-110 to a Dallas Mavericks team that is trying to replace the Portland Trail Blazers for that all-important sixth seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers have now lost two straight.
Even though the Lakers lost this game, there’s plenty of positives from this game starting with the quality of play from both teams.
The good from the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss:
Luka Doncic got in foul trouble very early in this game!
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope okey-doked Luka into a foul while shooting a 3 pointer with just over seven minutes in the first quarter. Doncic was watching the rest of the first quarter on the bench. KCP and Dennis Schroder challenged him early and it did throw him off. Speaking of challenges…
The Los Angeles Lakers came out aggressive led by KCP!
The Lake Show jumped out to a 14-6 lead early by attacking the basket and speeding up the pace so the Mavericks length wouldn’t bother the offense. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope continued his good play as of late hitting double figures by halftime with 11 points.
Dennis Schroder.
The Menace really kept the offense in sync while trying to get Anthony Davis acclimated in the offense. He had 8 assists in the first half alone a pioneered a 13-0 run to start the third quarter. Plus, he has cut his turnovers to a minimum. Since he challenged himself to take better care of the ball after the Charlotte game, Dennis has been immaculate with his playmaking.
Anthony Davis played for the first time in 30 games…
Here was the goal from Frank Vogel about AD’s plans for playing time in his first game back according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
"Frank Vogel says Anthony Davis “feels great” and will end his 30-game absence by starting tonight against the Mavericks. Vogel says AD will play his 15 minutes in the first half only."
It was assumed that the 15 minutes would be split up into 5-minute intervals. PFFT! AD was at 13 minutes before halfway through the second half.
AD finished with 4 points (2-10 shooting!), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, one steal and a block in 16 minutes. This was a great start for Anthony Davis considering he was aggressive and did not let the game come to him. He pushed the envelope and made himself a part of the action.
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1385417585311707136
The bad from the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss:
The Dallas Mavericks got the free-throw line waaaaaay too much in the first half!
Most teams that get to the line 20 times or more in a game is satisfied. The Mavericks got to the line more than 20 times in the first half alone. Halftime adjustments from Frank Vogel’s staff cleaned that up accordingly. However, this was the difference in the game as Dallas outscored Los Angeles from the line 26-14.
Kyle Kuzma got in foul trouble!
Five fouls kept Kuz from getting untracked. 6 points on 3-9 shooting hurt the Lakers.
Luka Doncic did not get into foul trouble!
Remember the two early fouls in the first quarter? Well, Doncic did not keep up the rate of Kyle Kuzma. He dominated the game with a stat line of 30 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals.
The story from the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss:
The Lakers backcourt was magnificent.
NBA pundits keep passing the narrative that when Anthony Davis and LeBron James get back to the team with Andre Drummond, the Lakers will be tough to beat. If the stars come back and team with the starting backcourt playing as they did in this game, they’ll be impossible to beat.
Dennis Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were destroying the Dallas Mavericks!
- Schroder: 25 points (9-13 shooting!), 2 offensive rebounds and 13 assists.
- KCP: 29 points (9-16 shooting!), Six 3 points shots in 34 minutes.
If the backcourt efficiently plays like this with any consistency, the Lakers can compete for back-to-back titles!
Anthony Davis made his first step back in the grand scheme of things!
If anyone really thought that AD was going to come back and hand out 25 points and 12 rebounds like he did before he got hurt is missing the point. The man hasn’t played in 30 games. He was rusty and that was to be expected. He missed his first five shots and looked out of rhythm. What does this prove?
He’s a human being.
Here’s the goal for Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers going forward. Pay attention…
"In the interim, you get to see Anthony Davis being the #1 option. He hasn't played one single game all year without LeBron James."@mcten on AD's return from The Jump pic.twitter.com/OlByiLNgFn
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) April 22, 2021
A tragedy happened in Los Angeles today.
A Woj Bomb that no one ever wants to hear about in the NBA dropped today. Terrence Clarke has passed away according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
"Terrence Clarke, a Kentucky freshman guard headed for the NBA Draft, died following a car accident in the Los Angeles-area this afternoon, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. Clarke’s mother was at his side when he passed on Thursday. He was 19 years old."
Lake Show Life sends prayers and well wishes to the Clarke family. Please do the same Lakers Nation.
The Los Angeles Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks again Saturday night.