Austin Reaves put on a tremendous performance, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 121-116 victory over the Detroit Pistons, in a game in which Luka Dončić was absent.
Reeves finished the game with 43 points—his best performance of the season—shooting 14-for-27 from the field and making four three-pointers, while adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Dončić sat out due to lower back discomfort; the Slovenian had come off four games in which he averaged 45 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. His absence, however, did not prevent the Lakers from dictating the pace early on.
The Los Angeles team even led 40-14 early in the second quarter, shooting an impressive 16-for-23 from the field and 5-for-8 from three-point range in the first quarter.
The Pistons fought back and managed to get back into the game. In fact, with 9:14 remaining, they had a chance to tie the score at 90-90, but Cade Cunningham missed his second free throw.
The Lakers maintained control on the crucial possessions, with Walker Kessler making it 107–99 on a three-point play with 2:15 left.
Reeves effectively put an end to Detroit’s comeback with a difficult off-balance three-pointer with 46 seconds left and then "sealed" the victory from the free-throw line.
Kessler added 12 points and 16 rebounds, helping the Lakers snap a four-game losing streak against the Pistons.
For Detroit, Dennis Jenkins had the best game of his career with 31 points in 32 minutes off the bench, while Kevin Huerter added 24.
*photo source: AP
