Luka Doncic records a 45-point triple-double; LeBron James scores 28+10 as Lakers defeat Jazz for the third consecutive time this season

On December 19th, in the NBA regular season, the Lakers secured a 143-135 victory over the Jazz, achieving their third consecutive win against them this season. The 143 points set a new season-high scoring mark for the Lakers. Doncic dominated with 45 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists, and 5 steals, and James added 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Statistics

For the Lakers, Doncic posted 45 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists, and 5 steals; James recorded 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists; Rui Hachimura contributed 13 points and 3 rebounds; Hayes added 16 points and 3 rebounds; Smart finished with 17 points and 4 rebounds. On the Jazz side, George scored 34 points with 4 rebounds and 8 assists; Bailey had 19 points and 4 rebounds; Collier contributed 18 points and 13 assists; Nurkic posted 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Background Information

In this matchup, both teams were missing key players. For the Jazz, the team lacked Lauri Markkanen, who averages 27.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists this season and is their leading scorer. The Lakers were without Reeves and Ayton; Reeves averages 27.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.8 assists, while Ayton averages 15.3 points and 9 rebounds this season. However, both James and Doncic were able to play. These two teams had met twice before this season in the regular season, with the Lakers winning both games.

Game Progress

At the start of the first quarter, the Jazz got off to a quicker start, using three-point shooting, fast-break layups, and free throws to go on a scoring run and build an 8-point lead. Doncic and James stepped up to score consecutively for the Lakers, narrowing the gap. Then, the Jazz’s outside shooters caught fire again, hitting three consecutive three-pointers to extend their lead. Doncic led another Lakers rally, but the team’s perimeter defense remained weak, allowing the Jazz to hit more threes. By the end of the first quarter, the Jazz had scored 41 points and led by 9. In the second quarter, the Lakers regained their three-point shooting touch and went on a scoring run, cutting the deficit to 2 points. However, the Jazz quickly responded and rebuilt their lead. Near the end of the quarter, Doncic kept scoring through drives and free throws, keeping the Lakers close. At halftime, the Lakers trailed the Jazz by 5 points, with Doncic having scored 25 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 8 assists, made 3 steals, and committed no turnovers.

After the break, Bailey started hot, hitting three consecutive three-pointers and scoring on a floater after a drive, tallying 11 points in the quarter’s early phase to help the Jazz extend their lead, forcing the Lakers to call a timeout. After the timeout, Doncic again carried the team, and after completing a three-point play, he helped the Lakers tie the score at 102-102. But the Jazz scored 4 straight points late in the quarter and led 106-102 going into the fourth. In the final quarter, James and Smart combined to spark a 15-4 run, turning the tide and giving the Lakers the lead. The Jazz responded with more three-pointers to keep pace, but Doncic took over, first scoring a three-point play and then hitting multiple threes, pushing the Lakers’ lead into double digits. In the closing moments, the Jazz tried to rally, but the Lakers held firm to secure the win.

Starting Lineups

Lakers: Doncic, James, Rui Hachimura, Smart, Hayes

Jazz: George, Bailey, Nurkic, Filipovski, Mihailiuk