Luka Doncic scores 43 as Lakers defeat Clippers in NBA Cup

As the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday to clinch West Group B of the NBA Championship, Luka Doncic scored 24 of his 43 points in the opening quarter and finished with 13 assists and nine rebounds.

The Lakers won their fifth straight game by scoring 18 of their 31 points in the fourth quarter and adding nine rebounds. Rui Hachimura added 13 points, while LeBron James added 25 and added six rebounds and six assists.

In NBA Cup play, the Lakers improved to 3-0 while the Clippers dropped to 2-1. The Clippers are still vying for the top spot in the wild card game.

The Clippers, who have lost 11 of their past 13 games, combined with James Harden, who had 29 points and nine assists. Ivica Zubac added 10 points and 10 rebounds, while John Collins added 18 points.

13 of 29 (44.8%) from 3-point range was a scorching 57.5 percent of the field for the Lakers. Doncic recorded his fifth consecutive 40-point effort of the campaign while recording a season-best seven treys.

The Clippers attempted 51.9% of their field goals while going 13 of 35 from behind the arc (37.7%).

After pushing the Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes from behind with an open hand, Dunn slammed the ball into Doncic’s chest and was ejected with 3:33 remaining. A technical error was made for Hayes.

Reaves gave the Lakers a 117-point lead in the fourth quarter on a 14-4 run to open the game.

With just 6:51 left, he scored five straight Lakers points to increase the lead to 117-102.

With 2:55 left, the Clippers scored the next nine points to win the game, which came from 124-115 on Harden’s basket.

In the first 24 points of Doncic’s first half, the Lakers were 38-37 up after the break.

The Lakers led 69-66 at halftime thanks to Doncic’s 32 points. The Clippers started the second half with 16 points led by Harden.

With 8:30 left in the third quarter, James’ basket gave the Lakers a 82-72 lead. With 5:31 left, the Clippers, however, scored the final 11 points and scored an 83-82 lead on Leonard’s basket.

After the Lakers rallied, James converted a three-point play to give them a 98-93 lead into the final stanza.