Category: Los Angeles Lakers

 

The Dallas Mavericks snapped their five-game losing streak on Tuesday when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-97 in a much-needed win at home. Dallas’ offense did their part, as they outscored the Lakers in almost every quarter. The team shot 52.3 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from the 3-point line, leading them to a blowout win.

 

Klay Thompson was a key component of the Mavericks’ shooting. Thompson knocked down 50 percent of his field goal attempts. He went on a nice run in the second quarter, knocking down three straight 3-pointers to give Dallas a five-point lead at halftime. Thompson has done a great job filling in with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving absent, as he continues to silence doubters who expected him to struggle without Dallas’ top two scorers.

 

Quentin Grimes also rocked out in the win. Grimes was the team’s leading scorer, having a near double-double with 23 points and nine rebounds. He also shot 54.5 percent from the 3-point line. Grimes’s offensive potential continues to be unlocked by the Mavs’ offense and Jason Kidd’s trust in him. He is averaging 17.3 points per game in January while shooting 47.5 percent from the field.

 

While the Mavs’ offense shined, the defense had their work cut out for them. Anthony Davis torched the team, and their struggles to defend strong interior players continued. Davis recorded a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Los Angeles also scored 40 points inside the pain, as Dallas was without Daniel Gafford, who is expected to miss some time with a left ankle sprain.

 

Finney-Smith proves to Mavs they should’ve traded for him

Another Lakers player who performed well was former Maverick Dorian Finney-Smith. He came off the bench and scored 11 points. He also shot 75 percent from long range and recorded three defensive boards. Finney-Smith was the only Laker with a positive plus/minus rating finishing +3.

 

Finney-Smith’s stats have been relatively quiet since being traded to Los Angeles, but he is starting to pick things up. He has averaged eight points per game over the past four games and shot 45 percent from the field. This is different from his first game with the Lakers when he scored two points and missed both of his 3-point attempts. He also recorded two fouls and made one shot in under 20 minutes of action.

 

However, if Mavs’ fans know anything, it’s that Finney-Smith’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet. Finney-Smith is willing to go above and beyond defensively. He is an excellent defender who can guard multiple positions and isn’t afraid to guard the opposition’s best player down the stretch. Finney-Smith can also play strong minutes late in games, as he is a physical and versatile forward who thrives in big moments.

 

Offensively, Finney Smith is also a strong forward who can score from multiple angles. He isn’t afraid to attack the basket when needed and is comfortable shooting from deep. The Lakers’ forward will grow into the team’s system over time. The game against the Mavs proves that Finney-Smith plays at his best level whenever he is comfortable and getting open shots.

 

Simply put, Finney-Smith made sure Dallas realized what they missed out on in Monday night’s game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavs were interested in making a move for Finney-Smith at both of the past trade deadlines, but they never pulled the trigger on a move to bring him back to Big D. The Mavs happen to need a defensive-minded wing with size badly right now, and Finney-Smith would have been the perfect fit to fill that role.

 

Finney-Smith performed his best against his former team on Tuesday night, as he looked comfortable shooting at his former arena and played sound defense as he always does. Dallas could reunite with Finney-Smith this summer, as he is set to become a free agent, and this could be the perfect chance for him to team up with his good friend Luka Doncic again.

 

The Dallas Mavericks will face Dorian Finney-Smith and the Los Angeles Lakers again on February 25. Until then, Dallas will rest up, as they will face off against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.

 

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Despite slipping to a road loss to the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers are staying positive.

 

The LA Lakers fell to 20-15 for the season with a loss to the Rockets, but are still well placed, fifth in the Western Conference.

 

Their road trip continues with a tilt against the Dallas Mavericks, which will pit new signing Dorian Finney-Smith against the team who drafted him.

 

Finney-Smith briefly crossed over with current Lakers head coach JJ Redick on the Mavs, who got a first-hand look at what he can do, years before the trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

 

Los Angeles, CA, Thursday, January 2, 2025 – Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith sprints up court during second half action against the Portland Tra…

 

Anthony Davis on Dorian Finney-Smith

LA Lakers star Anthony Davis was asked in the locker room after the game about the impact he has seen from Dorian Finney-Smith so far.

 

Finney-Smith scored 13 points against the Rockets, his highest output since the trade – and fans are now calling for him to start.

 

Davis made clear his admiration for Finney-Smith, particularly his defensive abilities.

 

He said: “He plays the right way, defensively he’s a monster, rebounding, we can only imagine when he really gets comfortable with us and not hesitating shooting the basketball and makes the right reads where he’s just flowing.

 

 

“It will be even better for us. We are excited to have him.”

 

 

While Finney-Smith’s growing impact is notable, Anthony Davis is continuing to make a big impression on the team right now.

 

His own rebounding is crucial to the team, he had 13 against the Rockets, along with another 30 points.

 

Davis is averaging 26 points per game for the season, and 11.8 rebounds per game.

 

He had an impressive five blocks against the Rockets, shy of his season best of six in a game, against the Sacramento Kings.

 

But that’s shy of Victor Wembanyama’s best of 10 in a game, with the Spurs star dominant in the category.

 

 

 

James sets Christmas Day record in Lakers win

LeBron James in action against the Golden State Warriors

 

LeBron James claimed a history-making Christmas Day win as the Los Angeles Lakers edged past the Golden State Warriors 115-113 in San Francisco.

 

The success, clinched by Austin Reaves’ lay-up with one second to go, saw the 39-year-old become the NBA’s all-time leader in 25 December victories with his 11th in 19 appearances.

 

The Lakers secured the win despite losing big man Anthony Davis with a twisted left ankle eight minutes into the game

 

“It’s always difficult to play without AD, so I guess our job is even more heightened, we have to do a little bit more,” said James, who finished with 31 points.

 

“Everyone has to chip in, especially on the defensive end because AD is our anchor. I thought guys did a great job of just playing off one another, getting to where we wanted to get to offensively and also being able to buckle down and get timely stops versus a really good offensive team.”

 

Despite the absence of Davis, the Lakers controlled most of the game but were given a late scare.

 

Leading 109-100, with one minute and 30 seconds to go, Stephen Curry scored eight points for the Warriors as they went on a 13-4 run, including two three-pointers with 12.2 and 7.6 seconds left to level the game.

 

But Reaves drove to the basket for the game-winning score to finish with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while Curry had a game-high 38 points, including eight three-pointers, tying the NBA record for a Christmas game.

 

Elsewhere, Victor Wembanyama had 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks on his Christmas Day debut but his efforts were in vain as the San Antonio Spurs lost 117-114 to the New York Knicks.

 

The Knicks were led by a season-high 41 points from Mikal Bridges – the second-most by a Knicks player on Christmas Day behind Bernard King’s 60-point effort in 1984.

 

And Anthony Edwards scored 26 points as visitors Minnesota claimed a 105-99 win over Dallas, who were without star Luka Doncic for the second half after he sustained a calf strain late in the second quarter.