The Los Angeles Lakers finally won a game when they did not need to be overly reliant on their stars to put on a backpack and carry the team. The decisive 130-120 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday should be a very encouraging result for the Lakers, and a troubling one for the rest of the NBA.
Make no mistake about it, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both delivered strong outings. Doncic had a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, to go with his three steals. Reaves supported him well as a second option, adding 26 points, four rebounds, and 11 assists of his own.
Where the two came up short was their efficiency. Doncic and Reaves both posted identical 9-of-22 shooting performances from the field. The pair struggled from beyond the arc in particular, hitting a combined 5-of-24. It was so bad that even Luka could not help but crack a joke at their own expense.
"We could have had like 150 points, honestly, if me and AR hit some shots," Doncic told reporters after the win (h/t Dave McMenamin).
Lakers finally put an end to a concerning trend that lingered through their early wins
A win is something that you will take, no matter the circumstances. However, there was one notable pattern that was not ideal for the Lakers through their first four notches in the victor's column. It painted a picture of undeniable burden on their stars.
The Lakers' first win of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves required a 49-point triple double from Doncic. Their second win over the Sacramento Kings came with a career-high 51 points for Reaves. The third victory of the campaign had AR notching a career-high 16 assists. Their fourth triumph against the Memphis Grizzlies had another 40-plus triple-double from Luka.
Each of the positive results required a star player going above and beyond to lead the team to the win. Beating the Heat showcased the Lakers can still get the job done even without a monstrous effort from one of their best.
Stars are there to do their part. Often times, that does involve carrying that extra burden for their teams.
However, the teams who have proven capable of winning championships in recent years have enjoyed the benefit of having balanced units that include contributors all over. Look no further than last year's Oklahoma City Thunder.
Against the Heat, all Lakers starters cracked double digits in scoring. Jake LaRavia added 25 points off the bench, proving just how much of a free-agency steal the young Lakers wing is quickly becoming.
These are the type of nights that should build confidence in a team's ceiling. That should be especially true when they managed to secure the win with LeBron James still on the shelf, and Deandre Ayton getting the night off.