Lakers score whopping 150 points, hang on to beat Indiana

LOS ANGELES — D’Angelo Russell wasn’t wholesome sufficient to play Sunday, the newest in a string of absences for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.

No offense to Russell, who has been on a two-month tear, however he wasn’t missed.

The Lakers equipped loads of energy on offense and withstood a fourth-quarter rally to edge the Indiana Pacers, 150-145, at Crypto.com Area. It was the best level complete for LA in a non-overtime recreation since 1987.

Mainly, anyone and all people who needed to attain obtained their likelihood on Sunday.

“Offensively, we have been very sharp,” stated LeBron James, who had 26 factors and 10 assists.

Guard Spencer Dinwiddie was the unofficial star of the sport, seamlessly taking Russell’s spot with the starters and unlocking by far his greatest recreation since becoming a member of the Lakers six weeks in the past.

Dinwiddie scored 26 factors after averaging solely 5 factors in his first 16 video games with the Lakers. He made two three-pointers, eight of 9 free-throw makes an attempt and added 5 assists.

Dinwiddie is a confirmed veteran scorer however has needed to shelve that for a defense-first mindset after signing with the Lakers. He averaged 16.5 factors final season with Brooklyn and, after all, nonetheless likes scoring at any time when attainable on a staff with James, Anthony Davis and the red-hot Russell, who sat out Sunday due to a non-COVID sickness.

“Don’t get it twisted, I really like the horny stats. I really like scoring,” Dinwiddie informed Spectrum SportsNet. “However you recognize what, it’s a part of being in a staff atmosphere. Each recreation’s going to be somewhat completely different for me. I understood that after I signed right here. I stay up for being a chunk as we go ahead.”

Dinwiddie’s scoring sacrifice since becoming a member of the Lakers was appreciated by a minimum of one necessary supply.

“It simply reveals what kind pf participant he’s, what kind of particular person he’s to have the ability to regulate his recreation to regardless of the recreation plan matches and wishes,” James stated. “Tonight, we would have liked him to attain and be aggressive.”

Issues obtained somewhat uncomfortable for the Lakers when Indiana shaved a 19-point deficit to solely 4 with 5:33 to play. However Davis scored eight factors down the stretch to make sure a Lakers victory.

Davis had one other robust recreation — 36 factors and 16 rebounds — however most popular to give attention to the Lakers’ defensive breakdowns, together with a 46-point fourth quarter for Indiana.

“We allowed them to attain 145, so it was horrible defensively,” Davis stated. “They hit some pictures towards the top however we will do what we would like offensively, as you can see tonight. However we’ve obtained to defend, particularly after we’ve obtained a staff [down] like that. We don’t want to offer them life, however at this level within the season, a win is a win.”

The Lakers (39-32) moved up barely within the Western Convention standings and trailed Sacramento and Dallas by 2.5 video games for seventh place.

LA’s protection wasn’t solely with out benefit. Indiana’s gifted younger guard, Tyrese Haliburton, was not an element and completed with solely 12 factors and 10 assists. However ahead Pascal Siakam did loads of harm for the Pacers (40-32) and completed with 36 factors.

The Lakers now hit the street for a six-game journey that begins with a troublesome one in Milwaukee however eases up considerably after that with video games in Indiana, Memphis, Brooklyn, Toronto and Washington.

Then once more, LA is a mere 12-20 on the street, the worst mark among the many West’s prime 10 groups, so nothing must be taken with no consideration.