The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 116-110 on Saturday night behind an incredible performance from Luka Doncic. Number 77 orchestrated the offense to perfection to get [some revenge on his former team](https://lakeshowlife.com/los-angeles-lakers-luka-doncic-gets-sweet-bit-revenge-mavericks). He wasn’t going to let the Lakers lose, and the superstar had to respond after head coach JJ Redick indirectly called out his passing in the loss to the Clippers.
Luka was coached intensely during his time at Real Madrid, and fans know he always responds to a challenge. It was a bold strategy for Redick to call him out in the media, but Doncic got the message loud and clear. It locked the superstar in on both ends of the floor and ensured the Lakers secured the win in Dallas.
Luka had 33 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and one block in 39 minutes of action. He lifted LA to score 37 in the first and fourth quarters to seal the victory. The Lakers were a plus-18 with Doncic on the floor, and Redick now knows how to get number 77 to play at the peak of his powers.
JJ Redick’s callout brings the best out of Luka Doncic
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Luka played phenomenal defense in the fourth quarter while running the offense. It was a thing of beauty, and coach Redick had this to say after the contest.
**“Luka had, we counted after the game, six straight stops where they targeted him. Just a fantastic job from him, and then, makes the game-sealing defensive play with the charge on Marshall. He was fantastic in the fourth quarter and just picked apart their defense down the stretch.”**
Redick gave his superstar credit for making “every single right read and play down the stretch” in Dallas. The head coach was not shy about saying Doncic got the Lakers the win and called it an A-plus game for number 77.
It is impossible to argue. Luka was outstanding as he proved the Lakers can defeat any team when he goes to that level. Superstars win championships. Doncic is one of the three best players in the world right now. He gives the purple and gold a chance at a ring, but the goal should be to upgrade his supporting cast ASAP.
LD’s defense has been better this season. Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade [made his stance clear](https://lakeshowlife.com/los-angeles-lakers-dwyane-wade-says-what-only-true-fans-know-luka-doncic) during the Clippers game, and Lakers fans have seen it. He turned it on in Dallas, but LD can’t keep up that pace all season. Expect Luka to lock in during the playoffs, and that alone will make the Lakers dangerous.
Doncic is arguably the best creator in the world right now. Fans know the offense will be elite, which makes their defense even more important. Coach Redick is slowly figuring things out after the blockbuster trade. His callout worked. He can’t rely on it too much, but the Lakers' head man has a card to play when he needs a bit more from the 26-year-old superstar.
The Los Angeles Lakers know the best is still yet to come from the Luka Doncic and JJ Redick partnership. Luka is just entering his prime, and Redick is only in year two as a head coach. Their partnership is still less than one full year old, so there is still tons of improvement to come. Redick unlocking a bit more from Doncic is a positive sign. Expect this duo to have the Lakers in the title hunt for years to come. Things will just keep getting better from here, so stay tuned.