The Lakers closed their road trip in style, dominating the Nets from start to finish on Tuesday en route to a 125-109 win.
The Lakers scored 45 points in the first quarter, 69 in the first half and built up a 39-point lead before the break. Predictably, the second half was little more than conditioning for the two sides with Brooklyn making the score look much more respectable.
The game began with four of LA’s starters scoring early. Egor Dëmin drained a 3-pointer for the Nets. Brooklyn called a timeout after Deandre Ayton scored on a layup, putting the Lakers up by three. Out of the break, Michael Porter Jr. was fouled from behind the arc and converted on two of his freebies.
Los Angeles missed their first shot of the quarter at the 7:02 mark after starting the game going 7-7 from the field. Jake LaRavia was having a strong first period with six points.
LA extended their scoring run to 18-4 for an 11-point lead. As usual, Luka Dončić was the first Lakers in double figures with 10 points.
Day’Ron Sharpe scored a quick four points off the bench for Brooklyn. Jaxson Hayes had a million dunks, resulting in a quick nine points for Los Angeles.
Austin Reaves returned to action and was in his usual form, drawing a foul and converting on his free throws. At the end of the first, the purple and gold were up by 22.
The second period began with LeBron converting on a layup. Reaves then connected with LeBron for an insane alley-oop that had everyone buzzing.
The Lakers were in complete control of the game as the Nets looked awful. LeBron threw down yet another dunk, dazzling the large group of Laker fans who filled Barclays Center.
LA’s only fault was free throws as they were shooting 61% from the charity stripe.
Reaves was now up to nine points as LA built a 38-point lead. Los Angeles started to play a little sloppy and allowed Brooklyn to score seven in a row as the half was winding down. Still, the Lakers were up by 29 at halftime.
The third period started with LeBron scoring on a layup, forcing a timeout by the Nets. Out of the break, Brooklyn turned the ball over and it led to yet another dunk on the other end by LeBron. Reaves knocked down his first 3-pointer after five attempts.
Brooklyn started making more of their shots, knocking down four triples and shooting 58% from the field. Luka converted on four shots for nine points in the quarter. Brooklyn outscored LA 34 to 31 in the third.
Going into the fourth period, the Lakers were up by 26.
The fourth quarter happened.
Luka finished with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes. LeBron scored 25 points with three rebounds, seven assists and three steals. In Reaves’ return, he ended with 15 points, four rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes.
Hayes had nine points with two assists. LaRavia pitched in with 18 points and five rebounds. Ayton notched seven points and eight rebounds.
The Lakers’ next matchup will be against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at 7:00 PM PT.
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