LOS ANGELES — Erik Spoelstra didn’t downplay the challenge the Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves-led Lakers present for opposing teams.
The Miami Heat coach acknowledged the Lakers’ starting backcourt duos’ collective ability to control the tempo and pace of a game as well as anybody in the league – and that was on full display in the Lakers’ 130-120 victory over the Heat on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Because even during a game that would be considered “off nights” for both, Doncic and Reaves dictated the terms offensively for the Lakers, who continued their strong offensive start to the season despite Doncic and Reaves both shooting 40.9% (18 of 44 combined) from the field.
The Lakers’ scoring total was a season-high.
“We did a lot of really good things,” Reaves said. “And it could have been even better if me and Luka would’ve made a shot. But [the] supporting cast and everybody around that played really well.”
Doncic recorded his first triple-double of the season with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to go with three steals, while Reaves recorded a 26-point-11-assist double-double to go along with four rebounds.
While his scoring total ended his streak of 40-point games to start the season at three, Doncic’s triple-double was the 83rd of his NBA career.
“Forget about the shots, we got [the] win,” Doncic said. “That’s all that matters at this point.”
Doncic and Reaves, both of whom shot 9 of 22 from the field, combining for just under a third (21) of the Lakers’ assist total (33), opened up scoring opportunities for others.
One Laker who benefitted from the playmaking of Doncic and Reaves was Jake LaRavia, who finished with 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting, his third consecutive game scoring in double figures, to go with seven rebounds and three assists.
“Just another great game from him,” Coach JJ Redick said of LaRavia. “He’s allowing the game to come to him. He’s comfortable with the off-ball stuff and the cutting and just reading the game right now. And not surprised that he’s found a level of comfort, just from coaching against him last year, watching him play when he did play his first couple of years.
“He’s got a knack for the game. He just knows how to play. He’s solid in a number of areas, and he’s a great complement to our main guys. And he’s starring in his own way right now, which is awesome.”
LaRavia’s averaging a career-high 12.9 points on 60% shooting from the field (50% on 3-pointers), to go with 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 28.6 minutes.
He’s averaged 21.7 points (78.1% shooting), seven rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.3 assists over the last three games.
“You are not gonna get that every night, obviously, but this is what I expected: him to come in, play big minutes, be a big part of what we’re trying to do,” Reaves said. “He’s going to be a big swing [piece] of why we win. When he plays like that, it gives us another layer of things that we can do. He plays in transition. He plays both sides of the ball. Can shoot it. Just a really smart player.
Jaxson Hayes (15 points, five rebounds), who started in place of Deandre Ayton (back spasms), and Rui Hachimura (15 points, six rebounds), did most of their scoring in the first quarter to help the Lakers take a 43-36 lead after the opening period and a 77-63 lead at halftime.
Marcus Smart (11 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot) also scored in double figures while making multiple momentum-changing hustle plays.
“Unbelievable impact,” Doncic said of Smart. “I’ve played against this guy a lot. He was always guarding me, so I know how it feels for the other team. I’m glad he’s on my team, and the impact he has [is] unbelievable. He’s been hustling every game, every moment, every minute, every second.”
Despite Doncic and Reaves combining for 26 of the team’s 47 missed shots, the Lakers still shot 50.5% (48 of 95) from the field.
“We shared the ball great,” Doncic said. “I think we could have [scored] like 150 points, honestly, if me and AR hit some shots.”
The Lakers’ 12 turnovers were tied for their fewest number of giveaways in a game so far this season.
The Heat (3-3) were led by 31 points, eight rebounds and four assists from Jaime Jaequez Jr., the former UCLA standout.
Star big man Bam Adebayo (17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals), guard Pelle Larsson (17 points, six assists, five rebounds) and forward Andrew Wiggins (15 points, nine rebounds) also scored in double figures for Miami.
The Lakers (5-2) will play the Trail Blazers (4-2) in Portland on Monday night at Moda Center to complete their back-to-back set.
