Lakers guards Luka Doncic (left) and Austin Reaves (right) have become a dynamic scoring duo.
(Jesse Alche/Associated Press)
Doncic, in Redick's estimation, is “one of the greatest forwards to ever play the game of basketball.” His teammate Reaves, at the height of his career, is “one of the greatest forwards in the NBA this year.”
The Lakers' star guards have done their best to strengthen the Lakers. without LeBron James on Sundaytotaling 67 points and 15 assists as James missed the game with a right leg injury.
Doncic entered the game as the NBA's leading scorer, averaging 35.1 points per game, but also ranked second in assists per game with 9.4 assists per game. He had his sixth straight 30-point game on Sunday, scoring 34 points while adding seven assists, 12 rebounds and just two turnovers despite being double-teamed nearly every time he had the ball. In fact, Doncic invited double teams, drawing extra defenders while he surveyed the floor.
“Given the seriousness that he has on the court, it is impossible to protect him in any particular way because [of] his ability to pass the ball, his unselfishness and his ability to make shots,” Reeves said. “Then once you beat him, you have the advantage in the basketball, and we like our chances.”
After dishing out 11 assists and scoring 35 points against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, Doncic said if he's getting attacked by extra defenders, it's a sign he's done his job. Four-on-three is “the easiest basketball you can play,” he said proudly.
Doncic and Reaves became the fourth pair of teammates in 50 years to each score 30 or more points in three straight games, according to the NBA. Thanks to the sudden return of his 3-point shot, Reaves scored 31 points against the Clippers last Tuesday and 38 points against the Mavericks on Friday. He's made 12 of 19 3-point attempts (63.1%) in the last three games after shooting 31.1% from beyond the arc this season.
