LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis dominates with a near triple-double with 28 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists as the Lakers huge third quarter outburst leads to a blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks, 127-110.
Davis known for his ability to score and defend is showing more than ever that he can create offense for others as well.
The 12th-year center has averaged 2.4 assists per game in his career, but has five or more assists in four of the past five games. He had a career-high 11 assists Saturday night the Lakers win over the Utah Jazz as he recorded his second triple-double.
“When guys are open, we’re throwing them the ball and tell them to shoot it,” Davis said. “It’s not like we’re going out and being selfish with the shots. We’re having fun while we’re doing it and making the right plays.”
D’Angelo Russell played well in this primetime matchup finishing the game with a team-high 29 points. Russell knocked down five 3-pointers and led the team in scoring for the seventh time this season.
The Lakers led 55-53 at the half but took over the game with their third quarter play. Los Angeles went on a 27-8 run in the quarter which led to a 42-27 advantage at the end of the quarter.
The Lakers led by as much as 24 points in the final period.
“Usually when you play good defense, it triggers good offense. Everyone was having that sense of urgency to be in attack mode,” coach Darvin Ham said.
That was all the Lakers needed to pick up their second-straight win against one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
The Mavericks’ Luka Doncic who was returning after missing three games because of a sprained right ankle, finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in 33 minutes for his seventh triple-double of the season.
The Lakers are back at home looking to pickup their third-straight win when they face-off against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.
