NBA Live! Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks | Luka vs Flag | Dallas vs Lakers | NBA 2K26 | Overtime
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And for those teams that look like a total rebuild now, how do they stay motivated, Grant? Well, BA, for the free agents to be, it’s all about the dollar signs. And of course, for the younger players, this is your chance to show you deserve minutes. And now Dallas’s starting group, a pair of first overall picks of the front court. Flag and Davis, Kyrie, and Clay pair up to make the back court. And it’s Lively in at the five spot. Now here’s Dantic. No good. Off the glass. [Music] [Applause] Davis. The pass to Thompson. [Applause] Pass to Lively [Applause] and Irving with the basket on the assist by Lively. Well, what a move from Kyrie to keep the defenders guessing as he moves in for the score. A moment to hear from Alli Leforce. Well, JJ Reick had a few moments to share with me. We briefly discussed Anthony Davis and what he wants his team to do against him and coach said to make him into a jump shooter. I think if we can make the majority of his shots jumpers and keep him away from the rim, we should be in good shape. Easier said than done, but we’ll see what happens. Back over to you, Ally. Thank you. 16 ft out. Perfect night so far. Two for two. Yeah, Kyrie Irving, one of the outstanding mid-range shooters. This guy legit three level. Donic outside. From down in the low post it goes. This team looks to him to score the ball. They feel good when he’s taking the shots. [Applause] Just over a minute and a half in. Thompson outside. Back to Irving. Up and over. Donic. Irving. No good. Listen, that’s a quality mid-range shot. He just couldn’t capitalize. Here’s James and it’s good. Fought through contact. hit the shot and will go to the line. And this is his first trip to the line tonight. [Applause] One shot. [Applause] That free throw good from James. What’s remarkable about LeBron is the complete command of the game. not only his team, but you’ll hear opponents joke about how well he knows their plays. Pass to Davis. Three-pointer off the mark. Ky, know your personnel. Challenge the great shooter. Excellent job. And it’s clear Anthony Davis welcomes the challenge of leading as the team’s best player. And it’s a role he occupied in New Orleans. Now the opportunity to play more at the four spot. He got what he wanted and is ready to take the weight. And that one’s good. James, you see there’s a hesitation to close out too hard on LeBron. They don’t want to see him get downhill, but that three-point shot is on point. Now here’s Irving. 23 points his last outing. Hit his foot. The officials saying it was kicked [Applause] and in the first quarter about 3 minutes played. [Applause] Four on the clock. Sinks the 15-footer. Irving’s got six. Here’s Donuch coming off 41 points. Last game out. Pass to Aiden out left to the wing. Nice ball movement by Los Angeles. And count that. Two points and a chance for one more at the line. And despite the size mismatch, getting a little aggressive down there in the paint. Some guys just relish the challenge. Find a way. And he does. [Applause] Come on. Got to get it. Let’s get it. And Vanderbilt no good on that one. And by drafting Cooper flag, the Mavericks regaining some of the long-term upside. They lost with the Luca trade doors. And by every metric and evaluation, Cooper is ready to play and contribute right now. And obviously the hope down the line, he can take over the mantle of franchise player. Boy, you’re trying to put Luca in the rear view now. Now, here’s Donic. Consistent production from him, averaging around 27 and a half points a game. Now, how many of those have we seen from Luca very good from three-point range outside Davis and stolen by Vanderbilt floats one and the layup is good by Donic. Seven points in the game. The big story thus far, how well they’ve shot the rock. Mavericks trail by seven. Pass to flag. [Applause] Back to Irving. A shot to stop the run and Reeves pulls it down. And Reeves has got the ball here for the Lakers. Here’s Vanderbilt and that one’s good. That makes him two for three. And taking a look at this first half, they’ve just shown better shot selection. And I think obviously we see the execution and the willingness to make the next pass. So important. Here’s Irving. Six points for him. Thompson outside. Pass to Lively. And there’s a whistle that’s going to go on Jared Vanderbilt. That’s his first foul of the game. And it’s the Mavericks with the ball. They trail by nine. And so far they’ve done a great job of preventing points in the paint. Los Angeles has gone two for three from outside the arc. James passes to Donic. Donic is doubled. And here’s Vanderbilt from the arc and with the stuff. What a fantastic offensive rebounder. Aton so good at using his physical advantages. So Jason Kids decided to call a timeout here. He might have seen something he needs to review with his guys. [Applause] Heat [Applause] up here. [Applause] And here we can check out the story for Kyrie Irving and his effective field goal percentage isn’t in the best place right now. Over the last five games, he hasn’t had much shot discipline. He’ll be looking to play a lot smarter today. [Applause] Mavericks trail by 11. Thompson outside. It’s going to be on LeBron James. That’s his first foul. And you think about the defensive player of the year award. It tends to go to big men. Any thought of dividing the award into two? Maybe one for perimeter players and the other for big men? Absolutely not, Brian. What we need to do is consider that the single most important thing it is for your defense nightly is guarding the best point guards or wings in the league. And the voters have got to understand it can’t only be about big men. How about the finish from Luca Donic? My goodness. Go ahead with the hammer. What a sensational move captured from the connected cam sponsored by AT&T. Dallas has gone 0 for four from deep to start this one to win the drought. And it’s laid up and in by Irving. Irving’s got eight points. Bad idea leaving him open. He needs more defensive attention, not less. [Applause] Los Angeles leading by 11. James outside [Applause] and he got the whistle on the way up. So, he’ll be headed to the line for a pair. What’s striking about LeBron James is how his game has morphed to now it’s all about guile and smarts and experience. He continues to dominate just in a different way. This is his second trip to the line in the game. [Applause] Take a break. Take a break. Two shots. First free throw is good. And the Lakers making a change here. Aimura’s checked in. [Applause] So he hits one of two from the strike. And Lively missing most of last season with an ankle fracture. He’s back in action. Doris, I am so excited about the potential of this young man. Brian, we know he has been a defensive force. As an athletic sevenfooter, he gives you elite rim protection. He’s a tremendous screener early in his career, and believe me when I tell you, there are layers to his offensive game that can be built upon. His future is so bright. Hayes has checked in for Los Angeles. That free throw good from Davis. Well, Grant, in 2024, you added Cooper Flag to the USA select team before he even played a game in college. You know, BA, he maybe looked really good, too. You know, he performed extremely well against the men’s national team. And at just the age of 17, he already looked like one of the better players on the court that day. And it’s the Mavericks with the ball following the score by Los Angeles. To the middle, tipped and stolen by Hayes. Fast break. Here come the Lakers. Time now to hear from our reporter Ally Leforce. Thank you guys. Luca Donic talked about wearing purple and gold. He said, “It’s the Lakers. So many past legends, so many championships. You don’t come here for anything else. So, I have everything left to prove, and that’s the goal. I get to play in the greatest club in the world, and I’m excited for this new journey.” Yay. Back to you. A new beginning. Thank you, Ally. Now, here’s Reeds coming off a 12-point game. Count it. Good. Got 13 and four force feeding the ball inside. I mean, no reason to go away from what’s working. Pass to flag. Now Davis Lively with a screen on Aimura. Here’s Davis. He got a piece of it. Leaps for it and it goes out of bounds. That one off Davis. And let’s check in on the rookies making an impact with their passing. Cooper flag third. The league got a big infusion of talented passers this year and he’s up there with the best of them. And as time goes, his court vision is only going to get better. Marcus Smarts checked in for Los Angeles. And so it’s Smart who brings up the ball for the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s a 13-point game. Donic outside. Hayes with a screen on Russell. And it’s Hayes that time on the assist by Donuch. More points coming from inside. In that respect, they’ve been the more aggressive team. So Jason kids decided to call timeout here. Coach probably just checking to make sure everybody’s on the same page here. [Applause] Heat up here. [Applause] The Mavericks making a switch here. Marshall’s checked in. [Applause] Mavericks trail by 15. [Applause] Pass to Gaffford. Here’s Washington. Aimura covering. Shoots from the elbow. Oh no. stopping in there. Jams it in and he’s fouled. An opportunity in a three-point play. It’s going to go on Jackson Hayes. First trip to the free throw line for him tonight. Laraby has checked in for LeBron. Christiey’s checked in for the Mavericks. [Applause] That free throw good from Gaffford. Boy, when you think about what Daniel Gaford brings to the floor, it’s length, it’s athleticism, it’s the vertical threat at the rim, but for me, it’s about grit and toughness, too. Now, here’s Donic. 13 points in the game. Here’s Hayes over Gaffford. Hayes misses. So far, rebounding has been a focal point for them. And here’s Christie. [Applause] Pass to Marshall. Five on the clock. Get through. Get through. To the paint. Here’s Russell. Soft touch off the glass. This guy an effortless score outside, inside, in between. Dynamic score is D’Angelo Russell. Aimura. The pass to Donic. Over Russell. Donic. No good. Mavericks trail by 10. [Applause] Here’s Christie. Hasn’t gotten one to fall yet. [Applause] Marshall on the wing. Aimura covering. Shot blocked. Relentless defensive energy from Ruie able to outwork this man and send it back. Back to Labraia inside. Here’s Hayes and finished off by Hayes. The offensive game plan is clear. Get it inside and go to work. They have used their size and their strength to get off any shot they want. They’ve dominated on the interior. Russell with the ball. He’s been a consistent contributor, averaging just over 11 a game. And it’s Gafford missing. Los Angeles leading by 12. Donic with it. Russell covering and it’s Donic missing. The Mavericks on offense. They couldn’t put the pieces together losing that last matchup with Phoenix. It’s always hard to get a win on the road, especially when you show zero energy on the defensive end. One thing you know, Greg, is you’ve got to pack your defense in the suitcase if you’re going to win on the road. And they simply did not bring it. heading play to stop that easy layup right there. I mean, make him earn it at the line. Los Angeles shooting their fifth and six free throw attempts tonight. [Applause] Take a break. Take a break. Two shots. [Applause] First one falls for him. Anthony Davis. He’s checked in for the Mavericks. [Applause] [Applause] And he makes both free throws. Minute 32 left in the first quarter. Boy, they need something to go to regain some confidence. No question. Way too many empty possessions for them. The shot by Russell. No good. The Lakers lead by 14. [Applause] Aimura outside pass to Donic. And it’s all from three-point range. And so Davis will bring it up for Dallas. Marshall outside. Davis with a screen on Smart. Back to Davis. And Davis slams it home. So effective in screener rolls. When Davis cuts hard like this, he’s capable of getting quality looks. 52 seconds left to play in the first quarter. Go. On the wing, Ashimura. And it’s slammed in by Aimura. And early on they’ve been on a tear just getting whatever they want offensively. Well, what I love is the game plan has been solid from the opening tip and guys are making their shots. That’s critical. Here’s Washington following the score by Los Angeles. Davis and the layup is good after a nice lead pass. Davis has got nine points. He’s done everything he can tonight trying to keep this team competitive. 32 seconds left now in the first quarter. Russell against Donic. Larabia outside fires the three. Offensive board. Donic. Shot is good. He’s got 15. Well, at Luca Donuch’s size, rebounding is an aspect he always gets to. Nice job creating the second chance play. The three from Washington and that’s not going to go. Misses at the buzzer. Oh, what a performance by Luca Donuch. He has been the story for the Lakers between his scoring and rebounding. An excellent period. We’ll be right back. [Applause] Great to have you with us. Second quarter of basketball. This game has not exactly been neck and neck, but plenty of time left in this one. And let’s quickly check out the scoring breakdown here for the Lakers. Ever since this game started, they’ve been attacking on the inside, looking for ways to bust up the defense and get high percentage looks. And the other thing that’s working for them tonight, getting out into the open floor. A lot of the damage coming in transition on the court right now for the Mavericks, Daniel Gaffford is out there with Davis. Then it’s D’Angelo Russell. Then there’s Naji Marshall. And it’s Washington in it. Small forward. Mavericks trail by 16. Davis. The pass to Russell. Davis with a screen on Smart. Russell from outside. It’s Hayes with the rebound. Hayes has got his fourth rebound in this one. Down low. Back to Aimura. And the rebound goes to Dallas. It’s one thing to prevent the layup, it’s another to do it without fouling. Just terrific defense. Up top, Davis. Shot clock at six. A little mid-range shot is up and it’s Lavia with a rebound. Los Angeles leading by 16. Pass to Reeves. Fires it and once again off the mark by Los Angeles to the inside and it’s blocked. Now the Lakers moving it up and it’s slammed in by AI Mura. It’s not just about the passer. As the recipient of that alleyoop, you’ve got to have timing and anticipation. Yes, sir. Ruy Hachimura and we’re about 2 minutes into the second quarter here. Things just don’t seem to be clicking for them offensively. Yeah, they really need to find a way to get back on track. Russell from outside again. And the miss by Dallas for Los Angeles. They’ve gotten two of five shots to fall this second quarter. And you look at the shot pattern for D’Angelo Russell Doris. Lots of threes in there. You’re right, D. There are certain guys who believe in their ability to get hot from distance and it can completely change the tenor of the game. That has been the story of D’Angelo’s career. Mavericks trail by 20. So Jason Kids decided to call timeout here. I think right now he might be looking at some adjustments. Well, Grant, as more and more teams look to get up and down, you think that lends itself to going deeper down the roster? Oh, definitely. BA. Also, with the GLeague and bigger coaching staffs enabling end of the bench guys to get more reps, it helps them stay ready when their number is called. Heat up here. And Los Angeles making a change here. Connects checked in. And on the 2K leaderboard, the teams that have stonewalled offenses over the last month, the Mavericks number one. You know, they’re pressuring the ball more, challenging every single shot. Their defense has been playing at a really high level. [Applause] And a little under two and a half minutes gone by here in the second quarter. Pass to Marshall. Swish. And here’s Washington and he floats it in for the easy two. Credit the sweet setup on that one. Boy, that’s how you execute in the painted area. Love when PJ Washington is assertive. Reeves finds Smart. Let’s go with a three. Rebound. Anthony Davis. Davis has got five rebounds in the game. Here’s Washington and stolen by Reeves. And here’s the fast break. Here’s Smart and Davis with the block. Well, if Anthony Davis is protecting the rim, you might want to go somewhere else. On the break, so it’ll be two free throws. He was fouled in the act of shooting. It’s going to be on Anthony Davis. First trip to the line for him here. [Applause] Take a break. Take a break. Two shots. [Applause] And he knocks down the first one. The skill set of Ruie Hachamura is enticing, guys. A big man who can stretch the floor with his shooting. Obviously of huge value in the modern game. Irving’s checked in for Dallas. [Applause] So, he gets them both. And Irving has got the ball here for Dallas. [Applause] And here in the second quarter of action as we approach four minutes played and Davis slams it home. Kyrie Irving can be devastating in the pick and roll. The creativity and decision making simply outstanding. Los Angeles leading by 18. Outside Reeves out to Aimura launches it pure from three-point range. Aimura’s got his third basket on the night right there and just totally relentless only increasing the intensity level. One thing I enjoy is watching players who don’t pay attention to the score. You lock in on the moment and play the right way. Here’s Irving following the three-pointer by Los Angeles. Inside, it’s stolen by Smart. Down low. Here’s Reeves. Oh, and there’s the whistle on the shot. So, two free throws for him coming up. And that’s Reeves. I mean, he’ll sneak in there and create offense. These are his first free throws of the game. [Applause] shooting two [Applause] and that one falls for Reeves. Every year Austin Reeves seems to just get better. A multiaceted guard who fits in seamlessly with any kind of rotation. Luca Donic has checked in for Smart. [Applause] And so Reeves nails both of them. Zero wasted trips. They’re doing their job at the line. Irving against Donic. Right side. Davis. [Applause] Shot clock at five. Oh, another basket for him. He’s six of 11 now. You know, the best thing about AD is he can contribute in every statistical category. Donic left side. That one’s good. He’s now eight for 13. And trust me, when the D’s slow to react, he’ll be the first guy to make them pay. And that’s typical of this guy. He’s always reading the situation, reacting quickly, and capitalizing. And they’re on the break. Here’s Hayes, and he lays it in off the breakaway. Hayes has got six. And I think that play tells you everything you need to know. They’re simply playing at a higher level, getting a steal and turning it into quick points. Dallas has gone 0 for three from deep to begin the second. Now Irving, give him eight outside for Davis. And the three-pointer goes. He’s got 16. Boy, what a quarter he’s had. Go ahead, young sir. Keep the pressure on. Los Angeles leading by 22. Pass to Donic. The Mavericks pull it in. Davis has got his sixth rebound on the night. Here’s Irving now. Washington off target from outside. All right, let’s get a report from Alli. Thank you. Well, Anthony Davis talked about the pairing with him and Kyrie Irving. And he said, quote, “Kai can do it all. There is no flaw in his game. And with me being able to play in the pocket and roll to the rim, be a lob threat, pick and pop and handle, where he can come set a screen for me, I think we complement each other very well.” Brian, right, the tandem. Thanks a lot, Ally. And so it’s Dallas with it, following the three-pointer by Los Angeles. And Donic with the jam. Boy, yet another night for Luca Donic. This guy is forcing everyone to play at his pace right now. The Mavericks have gone four of 10 from the field in the second. Now, here’s Irving looking at his stats. He’s getting just over 23 points a game. [Applause] Hey, now five for eight, shooting a pretty good percentage right now. There may be no one more capable of tough finishes than Kyrie Irving. [Applause] The Lakers have gotten eight of 14 shots to drop so far in the second. Time called here. Los Angeles decides to talk it over. [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Applause] and the Lakers will go for a different look here. Aiden, he’s checked in for Hayes. Vanderbilt comes in for Aim Mura. James has checked in for Connect. And Smart subbed in for Reeves. Dallas also making some changes. Derek Lively, he’s checked in for Gaffford. Flag comes in for Davis. And it’s Thompson in for Marshall. [Applause] Smart passes to Aiden. Back to Smart. Now here’s Donic. He’s guarded by Irving. And there’s James from the ark. And the rebound goes to the Mavericks. Last time they met was in Dallas. They were able to pull out a win last time because their bench came up big. It’s so important to have depth on your roster. I think sometimes the bench can make or break you in a particular game and that was a total team effort. No question. Los Angeles has gone two of four from the perimeter in the second so far. Donic passes to James. And here is Vanderbilt. He’s guarded by Irving. Pass to Donic. Six to shoot. Off target from three-point range. and he probably thought he was going to bury that one. They’re searching for a way to score. Yeah, buckets have been very tough to come by. Here’s Flag beyond the arc. The offensive rebound and they blow the whistle just as he gets it off. That’s two points with a chance at another one at the stripe. Well, so much respect to Lively. Plays so hard and he brings it on the offensive window and he’s got his first opportunity at the line here tonight. shooting one. And the free throw no good. Derek Lively, one of those guys so easy to root for. Plays with a high motor. He’s all about winning. A very team oriented guy. Well, incredible finesse. DeAndre Aton gets loose and does some work for Dallas. They’ve gone six of 14 in the second quarter. Here’s Flag outside for Irving. [Applause] Washington inside working on Vanderbilt. Nothing going his way. Boy, it feels like he’s forcing it and to no avail. Smart passes to Aiden. Nice ball movement by Los Angeles. Here’s James. gets rebounded by Dallas. Washington’s got his fourth rebound in this one. Thompson finds Irving. Lively with a screen on Donic and a slam dunk by Lively. Oh my goodness. Not only a vertical threat, but a big time finisher, Derek Lively. So, it’s Los Angeles now. And here’s Donic. He’s got 22. James, that one falls. Great setup by Donic. Donic has got five assists in the game. Here’s Irving. Pass to Washington. Here’s Flag. Thompson outside. Now here’s Washington. Screen by Lively. Just four to shoot and he’s going to the line for two. The officials saw contact while he was going up. Well, we get to see future Hall of Famer in Kyrie Irving tonight. Grant, what’s his best skill? I’ll be honest, BA, I’ve never seen a guard finish like Kyrie around the rim. He makes really difficult buckets look too easy. [Applause] He’s off on the first. Doris, we’ve said it before. Kyrie Irving has some of the best handles this game has ever seen. What makes him so good? Ba. To me, you can tell Kyrie has had a basketball in his hands from his earliest years. There is just a comfort whether he’s in traffic or if there’s multiple defenders being sent in his direction under duress of heavy pressure. It’s like Kyrie Irving sees nothing but the rim in front of him. He’s truly incredible. Now here’s Donic outside Vanderbilt. Here’s Aidton out of bounds. It’ll be Maverick’s ball. And now a look at the upcoming schedule for Los Angeles. On Friday, they’ll be matching up against Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. And then on Sunday, they’ll be facing Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics. And for their matchup with Phoenix, it’s going to be a hardfought battle. You just hope they are able to execute their game plan as it should be a close one. Washington’s checked in for Martin. Has the flag right here. [Applause] A minute 37 left in the first half. Back to Irving. This one for three and Reeves pulls it down. Just enough of a shot contest to bother Donic and he drops it in from the low post. Donic has got nine points in the quarter. This has been one of the most elite consistent scorers since he entered the league. Luca in the house. A minute 20 left in the first half of this game. Irving against Donic. Irving attacking from 12 ft. Donic grabs the miss. Donic has got five rebounds in the game. Been a tough stretch for this guy right now. Looking a little out of sorts. Outside Reeves. James outside pass to Donic. Takes a three that falls. Nice feed that time from James. Donic has got 27. Fearless as always. Donuch loves to fill it up from deep. Thompson. A screen on Donic. Irving for three. It’s rebounded by Los Angeles. James has got four rebounds now. At some point, do you start to think about getting others involved? It has been a struggle. Here’s Reeves. a steady force on their offense recording around 14 and a half a game. Washington grabs a miss. [Applause] And so it’s Los Angeles in total control up by 29 going into the break. It hasn’t taken them too many shots to get their points. They’re winning with efficiency. Time for a quick break, then back to the action. [Applause] Thank and for that match up with the Timberwolves. On paper, these teams are pretty even. So, what will be the determining factor there, Ernie? I’m not sure. But they got to avoid minow errors. Shaq, you agree with Kenny? Not on most things, but this Casey. Yeah, maybe. Yes, it took you too long. Now, let’s talk about that first half. What an impressive performance for the Los Angeles Lakers. Good things happen when you take care of the Rock. Yeah, they’re certainly not giving away possessions. That’s helped put them in the driver’s seat. Hey, you guys are putting me to sleep. Likewise. That does it for halftime. Let’s get back to game action. Here’s Brian Anderson with the start of the third quarter. Yeah, there wasn’t too much drama in the first half, but maybe things will tighten up here in the second. Boy, really an incredible game here from Luca Donic. Yeah, he’s kind of been the floor general for them tonight. A lot of assists for him. I don’t know that you necessarily think of him as someone who’s going to create for others, but boy, all night he’s been willing to make the extra pass. [Applause] And so it’s Donic with it. He brings it up for the Los Angeles Lakers. Reeves and LeBron out on the perimeter. Vanderbilt and Aiden patrol the paint. And it’s Donic in at the one spot. That’s the Laker five and the three off target. And for the Mavericks, they’re shooting just under 40% from the field. And the foul is called. He missed it. So, he’s got a couple of free throws coming his way. It’s on LeBron James. And you watch Flag. This rookie has endless energy. Grant, look at Cooper Flag. His versatility is what makes him such a highly touted prospect. Yeah, BA. Cooper can do a little of everything offensively. He also covers a lot of ground defensively at 6’9. And on top of his balance, skill set, his intangibles are just a leap. And he drops him first. And this young man, Cooper Flag, is a highly rated prospect. You can almost call him a stretch and point forward. Such a unique talent. [Applause] [Applause] He does not get the second one. And for the Lakers, their shooting has been good. 54% on this one. And that one drops for him. Hey, they’re just getting pushed around inside. [Applause] and Dallas with possession. [Applause] Has the flag. Davis with a screen on James to the middle and finished off by Davis. Yeah, I like flagging that twoman game. It makes the defense have to decide. Here’s James. Donic outside. [Applause] And here’s Vanderbilt from the arc. Mavericks with a rebound. Now Davis guarded by Donic. [Applause] Second chance shot. Lively grabs a miss. Boy, he won’t miss many of those, but it certainly happens and did there. Right around a minute and a half played in the third quarter. Thompson. That’s good. The speed with which Klay Thompson gets to his shooting motion off the catch makes him as dangerous as anyone. Reeves the pass to Aiden to the paint. Thompson with a steal. Pass break. Here we go. Here’s Lively. That one falls coming off Davis feed. And that’s now six points for Derek Lively. I tell you exactly the start to this half that you’re looking for. He’s taken three shots. He’s made three shots. The Lakers lead by 23. Outside Reeves. Outside Vanderbilt. Pass to Donic. The Lakers with another miss for Dallas. They’ve gone three of three in this second half. On the wing. Davis. [Applause] Clock at six. [Applause] James with the rebound. James has got rebound number five here tonight. Their first missed after hitting three straight shots, but I like their aggressiveness coming out of the half. Now here’s Donic. 27 points for him. [Applause] Inside. Oh, and the jam by Eightton. Eighton uses his length to his advantage. No doubt on the dunk. Dallas is shooting just 42% so far in the game. And Dallas calls time here. You know, one guy who’s been getting it done is Luca Donuch. He’s just really a oneman wrecking crew down low. And with this timeout, they’ve got to make some adjustments cuz he’s been steady inside. Heat. [Applause] Heat. [Applause] Heat [Applause] up [Applause] [Applause] And looking at overall steel numbers, here are the teams that continue to wreak havoc. Fifth on the list, Los Angeles. This team will punish you for sloppy ball control. No question. They’ve got a lot of fast-handed guys just waiting to take advantage. Here’s Davis. 18 points for him. Thompson outside on the wing. Irving. [Applause] Just five on the clock. Dallas needs to get off a shot. And here’s Flag outside again. The miss by Dallas. And they’re plus five on the boards after that rebound. James inside over flag. James can’t get it to go and that close out certainly made a difference. Well, no question he altered that shot and most of the time that’s just as good as blocking it. Here’s Flag, a dependable player on offense, giving them over 13 a game. Davis probing over Vanderbilt. Dallas no good that time either. And Aiden has got the ball here for the Lakers. Back to Vanderbilt. LeBron pass to Donic. Three-pointer no good. Dallas has gone one of two shooting from the perimeter since halftime to the inside. [Applause] Lively against Aiden. Lively passes to Thompson. Irving for three. Dallas no good that time either. And you never want to give a shooter like him a clean look. Pass to Donic. Here’s Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt slams it in. The guy with extraordinary vision. Luca Donuch with the find. Here’s Irving. He’s got 11. Offensively, it’s been a struggle for him. Yeah, they need to string together some shots to have any kind of chance. [Applause] Lively with it to stop the drought and Irving the bucket on the assist by Lively. Irving’s got 14 points for the game. The three-point shooting has been on point here in the second half. It’s James with the drive. Vanderbilt the pass to Aiden. Lively with a block. Well, stellar job by Lively on the defensive end. That’s what he’s there for, rim protection, folks. And it’s time to take another look at that powerful block. Let’s see if that block can amp up this team. I mean, they’re looking for anything to get themselves going. [Applause] Here’s Reeves on defense. the Mavericks. Their defense is only allowed six points in the second half. And he was fouled while in the act of shooting. So, he’ll take two free throws. I’ll tell you, for a center, the big man has got excellent touch at the free throw line. And a moment here to take a look at some hustle stats for Los Angeles. Their defensive intensity has served them well. It kept the offense scrambling and resulted in several steals. And you also have to love the way they’ve gotten out and run in transition. A ton of good chances tonight simply from being willing to run the floor. And we know Aiden has all the tools to be a top big man in this league. He just needs to show it on a nightly basis. [Applause] Aiden hits them both. I think what you like most about DeAndre Aiden is probably how efficient he is on the offensive end. Now, obviously the next step, he’s got to raise his beam and defensive intensity on that end of the floor. You have to credit their effort. I mean, they’ve done an amazing job on the glass. As you know, acquiring a big man was a priority for the Lakers in the offseason, Grant. And that became a glaring need as we saw in their first round exit against Minnesota. But enter DeAndre Aton. A definite upgrade, BA. And we know Luca is at his best alongside a rim running center. Now here’s Irving. 14 points for him. And Luca Donuch is going to pick up the foul. That’s foul number two for him. Some changes for Los Angeles. Aimura’s checked in for Vanderbilt. And Smart subbed in for Reeves. [Applause] Now Davis. 18 points for him. Has the flag. Three-pointer. Kept alive. Lively. They had a number of cracks at it. Just came away empty-handed to the middle. Oh, deflected. Thompson with a steal. [Applause] Here’s Davis. Aimura covering Davis the pass to Lively. Some nice ball movement by Dallas and it’s the Lakers on the break. Oh, plenty of contact on that shot. Officials call the foul and he’ll take two free throws. Now it’s going to be on Anthony Davis. Well, you know Ruie wants to score it. He will not retreat in the face of some tough defense. Nicely done. He’s gone two for two at the line so far. [Applause] go. He misses the free throw. And the Mavericks have stressed the importance of defense to winning at the highest level. Grant. Yeah, BA. They felt that fortifying the team at that end of the floor would get them closer to contention. And look at them. They’re making some bold moves there along the way. And the Lakers making a change here. Hayes is checked in. And the second free throw is good. And so it’s Irving who brings up the ball for Dallas. Washington. A screen on Smart. Irving against Smart. Six on the shot clock. Smart against Irving. Smart with the defensive effort. And you have to think that they’re leading this game because of how they’ve controlled the boards tonight. Pass to Donic. Aimura outside. Off target with the three. Dallas has gone two for five from three since halftime. Gafford with a screen on Smart down low to win the drought. And it’s Gaffford missing. They have really been in control of this one. You don’t want to get complacent here. And it’s slammed in by AI Mura. Wow. The ability to get off your feet in a hurry. Rui Hachamura with the dunk. And for the Mavericks, they’re shooting a low 29% since halftime. Here’s Davis. And then Davis punches it home. And that’s unbelievable. Davis sky high doing his thing. A terrific view of that move captured on the connected cam thanks to AT&T. [Applause] Now here’s Hachimura. 12 points for him. James outside. Hachimura with a screen on Washington. James passes to Smart. Back to James and it’s James with the jam. LeBron James, one of the great showman to ever lace them up. How about that finish, folks? The Mavericks shooting just 37% so far in this one. Here’s Irving. Two points. That one goes. Irving’s got 16 points now. Listen, this guy’s doing his part. It’s what we know he’s about, but they have got to get some productivity from some other guys on this roster. Now, here is James. 11 points in the game. [Applause] Five to shoot. Double team on James. Hayes and finished off by Hayes. A brilliant dunk. And he hangs up there for a while, too. like he’s posing for the camera. He’s just hanging out, posing for pictures, just making himself at home. Hayes has gone four or five from the floor. Just the one miss. And right now, they’re plus eight in the rebounding category. That’s helping them run away with this. Here’s James, throws it up high, and finished off by Hayes. That’s what we call a power finish. There’s no such thing as gentle for the big man. And so it’s Dallas with it. And here is Irving. 16 points for him. Out to the right wing. The three from Washington. Aimura with a rebound. You kind of wonder where his head’s at. The shot selection hasn’t been there. And of course, that one was just crazy. Russell against Donic. Back to Achimura over Irving and it’s Achimura missing. Dallas has gone two of six from downtown here in the second half. And the dunk by Gaffford. Just another day in the office for Daniel Gaffford. Collect an offensive rebound and put it back. Time called here. Los Angeles decides to talk it over. [Applause] [Music] And some changes here for the Lakers. Loravia comes in for LeBron and Austin Reeves is subbed in for Donic. Marshall, he’s checked in for the Mavericks. Christy comes in for Kyrie Irving. A minute and a half left in the third quarter. Larabia passes to Smart. Pachimura sets a screen. No good with the triple. Dallas shooting 35% in the third quarter. Russell against Smart. And the dunk by Gaffford. Now Daniel Gaffford is a vertical threat at the cup. Look out below. 103 left in the third quarter here. Lorravia outside. Back to Reeves. Smart looking around. Pass to Aimura and he can’t bank that one in. Dallas has gone two of six from downtown here in the second half. Outside Russell. Shot clock at six. Nice move. No good. Smart with the defensive effort. Pass to Reeves. Hayes with a screen on Crispy. And they call an illegal screen here. One of the trickier plays to judge, but it would be hard to argue against the call. It is really difficult to get your feet completely set, to stay completely still. It’s almost surprising to me that it isn’t called more often. And so it’s Los Angeles with a commanding lead to end the quarter. 27 points looking good. And they’ve racked up a ton of turnovers. And more NBA action on 2K Sports coming your way right after this and a worthy candidate tonight as we take a look at our State Farm assist of the game. He’s always near the top of the list for this honor. I mean, passes like these are his specialty. Well, this is why great point guard play is so critical in today’s NBA. And you see it right there on display. [Applause] And there have been two very different performances from these teams today as we get going in quarter number four. On the floor for Dallas starting the fourth quarter. Anthony Davis is out there with Naji Marshall. Then it’s Daniel Gaffford. Then it’s D’Angelo Russell. And it’s Christy in at the shooting guard position. [Applause] And for the Lakers, they’re shooting at 49% so far in the game. Aimura, the pass to Arabia. Aimura with a screen on Davis. Back to Aimura to the inside and then Davis slams it in. Yeah, this is how powerful Davis is. Awesome at capitalizing with the dunk. Aimura sets a screen, smart for three, burries it from three. Now, you have to extend that defense. I mean, you really have to stay connected to him at all times. Well, you know this, this is a guy who’s looking for his shot the whole time. You have to know who you’re guarding. KY, know your personnel. Davis misses. And here’s Smart. He’ll bring it up for the Lakers. Pass to Aimura. [Applause] And we continue to see the value of NBA franchises climb. Grant, are you glad you got in when you did? Oh, yes, I am. I think beyond though the dollars and cents. It’s just the joy of having a hand in the growth of this game and this league that we all love so much. Just over a minute and a half played here in the fourth. on the wing. Davis [Applause] and it’s Davis again missing. Well, terrific defense. They obviously respect his ability and just want to make it tough. Boy, he hasn’t helped them much tonight, but they’ve gotten a lot of productivity from other players. Now, here’s Christie. Here’s Gaffford. And so, he draws the foul. Headed to the line to shoot a pair. It’s going to go on Jackson Hayes. Most dangerous on the interior. That is Daniel Gaffford right there. Take a break. Take a break. Two shots. [Applause] That free throw good from Gaffford. What you love about Daniel Gaffford, he knows who he is. He’s going to be a force in the painted area on both ends. He’s going to take high percentage shots and he doesn’t mind the dirty work. Here’s what Los Angeles is going with right now. Connect comes in for Hayes and Luca Donic subbed in for Reeves. And Dallas with a change here too. Irving’s checked in. Both free throws good from Gafford and Doris. You think about the top scorers in this league. They’re creating those points with greater efficiency than in decades past. Analytics is increasingly a part of the NBA. Teams are now understanding that three is more than two and if you don’t make enough of them, you have a math problem. And then the other highly valued shots in the game and maybe the most valued shots are restricted area twos. Listen, let’s be smart about the game. That’s his second make from distance this half after hitting none before that. Here’s Smart. Smart a screen on Russell from deep. Here’s Donic. Gets the three ball to go. Donic has got 30. I tell you what, they give up a three on one end and Luca gets it right back [Applause] on the wing. Irving defended by Smart. Irving, that’s good. Irving’s got five points now in the quarter. And he’s coming off a huge performance and his confidence couldn’t be any higher. And his coach knows that, too. Well, the best players to me deliver night after night after night. So, as long as he’s hot, keep riding it. You know, things haven’t clicked for him offensively, but other guys around him, give them credit. They’re filling in the gaps. Donic against Russell. Back to Marshall. Down to five on the shot clock. Outside Davis. The three is up. It’s rebounded by Los Angeles. Boy, this guy was able to connect from deep in the first half. hasn’t found the range since. Pass to Donic. Fires the three. The Mavericks pull it in. Marshall’s got his fourth rebound in this one. And here is Irving. Back to Marshall. Some nice ball movement by Dallas. Davis with a screen on Smart inside. Oh, it’s stolen by Aimura. Smart with the ball. Irving picks him up and it’s Smart missing. The Mavericks have gone four of seven from the field in the fourth quarter. Pass to Donic. [Applause] And to encourage more mid-range and post play, some have suggested moving the three-point line outward. I do not like this idea, PA. You can’t move the corner any further back. How many sideline violations do we already have? Let the game play as is. Clea, he’s checked in for Los Angeles. LeBron comes in for Connect. And Dallas also making a switch. Christie’s checked in for Russell. Now here’s Donic. Gafford grabs the miss. Marshall outside. Christie pass to Irving. Six to shoot. Now here’s Davis recovering and the basket is good. He got it to go and he took the bump. So a free throw coming up. An opportunity at a three-point play. Hayes has checked in for the Lakers. Reeves comes in for Smart. One shot. [Applause] And you watch AD out there. He’s kind of a quiet guy, but Davis lets his game do the talking. And so JJ Reic calls for the timeout. No doubt he’s going to utilize the opportunity to make sure they’re all on the same page here. Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Applause] Heat. [Applause] Heat. [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] on defense. Dallas Aimura. The pass to James to in the cold spell. Rebounded by Marshall. Marshall’s got five rebounds in the game. Davis again. The miss by Dallas. Los Angeles leading by 23. Pass to Donic. [Applause] And you look at the different kinds of leadership, whether vocal or by example. Which do you prefer, Doris? Well, I’m a greedy type of person, PA. So, I want both. Obviously, a veteran who’s been there and done that is going to hold weight with what he says, but your best players have got to also lead by example. Give me both types, ba. And so it’s Dallas with it following the score by Los Angeles. It’s a one-on-one situation. Reeves the pass to Aimura and Davis with the block. No chance. Davis just too much to handle on the defensive side. Hits the trifecta. He’s looked like a totally different player in the second half. That’s his third triple. Pass to James. [Applause] Donic with it. Just five to shoot. Los Angeles needs to get off a shot from deep. Reeves. And the rebound goes to Dallas. Gafford’s got nine rebounds now. Pass to Irving. [Applause] Donic pulls down the board. Donic has got his seventh rebound here tonight. And he’s going for the oop here. Stolen by Gaffford. Christy against Reeves. Here’s Marshall. [Applause] Davis with a screen on James. Marshall can’t hit. And the defense gets bailed out by the miss. He usually converts that now. Donic. And Grant, many of the newer rules have helped unlock offenses. Any need to help out the defense? You know, I think the rules are fine, BA. It’s just about allowing defenders to do their job and eliminating the cheap foul calls so they can stay on the floor. They’re finding a rhythm from the line as they try to cut into this deficit. [Applause] Shooting two. [Applause] That free throw good from Irving. One thing that stands out about Kyrie Irving, obviously his creativity, especially when it comes to his handle, as good as it gets. Here’s what Los Angeles is going with right now. DeAndre Eaton, he’s checked in for Hayes. And Vanderbilt is subbed in for Achimura. Dallas also making some changes. Lively, he’s checked in for Gafford. Flag comes in for Marshall. And it’s Klay Thompson in for Christie. If they want to come away with the victory, they just need to keep knocking down those free throws. Reeves the pass to Donic. James up top and he can’t stop the drought. Another miss. Mavericks trail by 20. Pass to Thompson. I got here outside. Irving lets it go from deep. They get it back. Lively and a slam dunk by Lively. Oh, Derek Lively. He brought the sauce tonight. Look out. Los Angeles has gone two of six so far in the fourth. Here’s Eightton. And Aton with the stuff. Oh my. What a display of effort. That’s his bread and butter, right? Chasing down the boards. What about the decisive finish? Great timing. Tremendous force. Here’s Irving following the score by the Lakers to the middle. Davis. Oh, the slam off a fantastic lead pass. What a play. Davis resolute with the and one. [Applause] Behind [Applause] the lanes. Behind the lanes. One shot. [Applause] That free throw good from Davis. They lead by 17. Outside Reeves James right side and the step back jumper is good. Yeah, one of the best in the history of the league just taking advantage of what the defense wants to give him. LeBron the midi. Yes, sir. Has the flag. Davis from long range and they’ll get another chance. They get the rebound. Lively shot his off and so it’s Donic with it. He brings it up for the Lakers. They have a 19-point lead. It’s stolen by Lively from the arc. Right here. Here’s Flag. Oh, he jammed it. Yeah, when a first overall pick is giving you extra hustle like Flag did there, that makes coaches smile. Los Angeles has gone two of six so far in the fourth. Donic. Oh, and makes it with the kiss. Donic has got 34 points and they just continue to attack. Even late in the game while they’re up big and as a result, they may be facing just a little bit less resistance right now. They are having their way. Now, here’s Irving. Clock at six over Donic. Oh, great knee that time from Donic. The Lakers lead by 19. And they were really able to find the mismatches they wanted and exploit those all night. Great execution from the players and coaching staff for the Lakers. Offensively, they made the most of their trips. They found multiple ways to score consistently, and a little luck doesn’t hurt them either. They also got some nice bounces off the rim tonight, too. and they’re getting ready to notch their 33rd win of the year. And they’ve now won themselves a 2 to1 advantage in this season series. We’ll see if it’s the same story when these two meet one last time. And what a huge performance it was for Luca Donuch. What a groove for him this evening. Just stand aside and let the man work. Now here is James. Misses the baby hook. [Applause] Reeves against Lively. Pass to Flag. Back to Lively. Thompson outside. Here’s Flag. He’s covered by Eightton. And it’s Flag missing. So, we see the Lakers taking the W here. We saw two different teams tonight. One played with confidence, operating flawlessly. The other just looked lost. And the energy in this building was awesome. The crowd was involved from the jump. And once they started to really pour it on, it was fun to see how it all came together. All right, Alli’s ready to go. She’s courtside. Hey, Ally. LeBron, that was an impressive win. What did it take to get it done tonight? It’s a really good team that we’re playing. They’re very resilient, just like us. They play together. They play hard. They play tough. So, we had to bring that fight tonight. You brought it. It paid off. Congrats. All right, Ally. Thank you. And that’ll wrap it up, folks. For Alli Leforce, Grant Hill, and Dorisburg, this is Brian Anderson. Thank you for watching tonight’s game. And time now to introduce our player of the game, Luca Donuch.
